A FITNESS team have been encouraging people to take part in health and wellbeing activities.

Ribble Valley Council's Up and Active team have organised a showcase to raise awareness of the wide range of activities available to help residents live more healthily.

Since being launched, Up and Active has attracted 310,000 users across East Lancashire.

The scheme is accessible via smartphones, iPhones and the internet, and outlines activities throughout East Lancashire – many of them free – via an activity search featuring community events, health walks, school activities, family workshops, afterschool clubs and gardening schemes.

Tracy Balko, Ribble Valley Borough Council’s health and fitness officer, said: “Statistics show that just 56 per cent of adults in Lancashire are achieving the recommended levels of physical activity each week.

“Obesity combined with lack of exercise is one of the biggest preventable causes of early death alongside smoking. As well as shortening people’s life expectancy, it can lead to many years of poor health and low quality of life.

“We hope this week of activities will help Ribble Valley residents improve their health and wellbeing by showing them the many ways in which they can get up and active.”

The health and wellbeing showcase will take place in the Ribble Valley Borough Council Chamber on September 19 from 12pm to 2pm.

Further information about Ribble Valley Health and Wellbeing Week is available from the council’s healthy lifestyles team on 01200 425111.