A NEW scheme to encourage activity among selected groups of Kirklees residents who are short of exercise will be launched tomorrow.

North Kirklees Primary Care Trust has been awarded £200,000 to run a Leap programme (Local Exercise Action Pilot).

The people of Mirfield, Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton will all have the chance to get more active and reduce their risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Dr Judith Hooper, director of public health for North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, said: "The importance of being active cannot be under-estimated as the benefits to health are significant.

"Whilst Leap aims to encourage, motivate and support particular groups of people in North Kirklees in becoming more active, it is vital that we all get moving and are active as part of our everyday lives if we are to maintain and improve our health.

"Six out of 10 men and seven out of 10 girls are not just active enough to benefit their health.

"Among children, four out of 10 boys and five out of 10 girls are not meeting the recommended one hour of exercise a day."

North Kirklees is one of 10 pilot schemes throughout the country, which are targeted at areas of deprivation and priority groups who take little physical activity.

The launch event will be at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre, Batley, and involve pupils from Howden Clough High School, Batley.

The Leap pilot in North Kirklees is aimed at overweight and obese young people, South Asian girls who traditionally participate in little physical activity and adults with diabetes.

People will be referred to the programme by their family doctor.

They will receive a motivational interview and an individual activity programme.

New clubs will be set up to encourage people to continue exercising.

The GP-led North Kirklees PCT was awarded the money to run the scheme in conjunction with Kirklees Council.

The national programme is funded by the Department of Health, the Countryside Agency and Sport England.

The results of the national programme will help to draw up a nationwide strategy on exercise.