STAFF at two Huddersfield care homes are tackling a walking challenge to raise money for charity.

Employees at Lindley Grange Nursing Home at Lindley and Cleveland House Nursing Home in Edgerton are taking part in BUPA's 30-Day Walking Challenge.

This involves staff forming teams and seeing how far they can walk collectively throughout September.

They all carry pedometers to count their steps.

The teams are collecting sponsorship money for a charity of their choice.

Lindley Grange's team is called The A Team and is raising cash for Marie Cure Cancer Care.

The Cleveland House team is called the Cleveland Comets and is collecting money for the Stroke Association.

Debbie Jessop, assistant chef at Cleveland House, is on the team.

She said: "At Cleveland House we are dedicated to ensuring life following a stroke is lived to the full. Any contribution we can make by taking part in the walking challenge will benefit this cause."

The care home teams are among 600 people working in BUPA hospitals, care homes, call centres and offices worldwide who are taking part in the 30-Day Challenge.

Dr Annabel Bentley, BUPA's assistant medical director, said: "At BUPA we encourage everybody to take an active interest in their health. Walking has many benefits and is safe, easy and free.

"Small lifestyle changes, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, can really make a difference to health."

Some of Dr Bentley's tips for keeping fit include:

* Replace coffee breaks with walking breaks.

* Get up and change the TV channel instead of using the remote control.

* Walk round town window shopping.

* Get off the bus or train a stop early, or park your car and walk the rest of the way to your destination.

For further information, visit www.bupa.co.uk