Gateshead Council has recruited four physical activity development workers in a bid to encourage local people to take more exercise.

Funded by Active England, the new team will co-ordinate several programmes in the city.

It will work closely with the Gateshead Primary Care Trust to support businesses in encouraging staff to participate in physical activity within or near the workplace and will co-ordinate exercise and cardiac rehabilitation for people referred for health reasons.

The team will target school leavers through mentoring and sports outreach programmes and work with volunteers from Age Concern to increase facilities available to older people.

The new recruits will be based at the Gateshead International Stadium (GIC), which is currently undergoing a £15m extension set to open in the new year. The new building will include an indoor athletics training centre and a fitness suite.