PEOPLE with conditions such as depression, heart disease and being overweight are being offered the chance to turn their fortunes around with a new active health programme.

People with a family history of heart disease and those who have had strokes or falls, will also be referred to a new 12-week physical activity programme, which will run in Trowbridge.

It is hoped the new countywide initiative will encourage physical activity among those with health problems.

It has been made possible through a new partnership between Wiltshire Council, NHS Wiltshire, DC Leisure and GPs.

The scheme is to be launched on February 1 at Castle Place Leisure Centre, in Trowbridge, from 1pm until 2pm, giving healthcare professionals the chance to find out more about what is being offered.

Maggie Rae, director of public health at NHS Wiltshire and Wiltshire Council, said: “The risks of engaging in physical activity are low for most of the population, but the risks of poor health resulting from inactivity are high.

“Here in Wiltshire, we are keen to give people who can benefit from increasing physical activity the chance to access a range of opportunities that can help to improve their health.”