Organisations across Surrey have joined forces to launch the new Surrey Physical Activity Alliance to tackle rising levels of obesity and falling fitness levels in the region.

The initiative brings together representatives from the sport, health and education sectors as well as the community and is part of the new framework for action on physical activity in the south east – Move It!.

Sarah White, Surrey Sports Partnership manager, said: “We want to enable a range of community and public sector groups to work towards a common goal. We want to encourage people of all ages to use every possible means to become more active.”

One of the partners in the alliance, the Surrey Heath and Woking Primary Care Trust aims to encourage more affordable leisure opportunities to be set up across the country.

Harriet Murrell, the trust’s health promotion specialist, said: “By working together, all these agencies can agree a plan of action that makes taking exercise both fun and affordable.”