Mobile gym starts fitness drive

Up to 16 people can exercise in the centre at a time

A mobile fitness centre is taking to the road in a drive to promote healthier lifestyles.

The Wellness on Wheels (Wow) scheme is a trailer fitted out with gym equipment with staff on hand to advise visitors.

It will tour round some of the most isolated and deprived parts of the Wear Valley area of County Durham.

The idea has been developed between Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, Sport England and Technogym.

When the truck is parked, it can be transformed into a fitness unit and 16 people can exercise in it at a time.

'Unique and exciting'

The aim is to promote the benefits of physical activity and encourage lifestyle changes.

Project manager Natalie Drew said: "It is so unique, so exciting, brand new equipment and we are just hoping that everyone will see this and it will really kick start people into physical activity."

Funding for the scheme has been granted for three years and the truck will spend 10 weeks in each area.

The project team aims to target issues such as childhood obesity, diabetes prevention and nutritional advice.