THE county-wide Get Active Essex scheme re-launched last week and two Thurrock councillors were busy taking the message far and wide.

On Wednesday portfolio holder for health and adult social care, Cllr Barbara Rice, took Thurrock Mayor, Cllr Steve Liddiard, along to two seated exercise classes she leads in Chadwell St Mary.

She said: “The people at Vigerons Way and Arthur Barnes Court really enjoy and benefit from the weekly sessions – and to be honest, so do I.

“They’re not the sort or age of people who can go for a jog, or spend time at the gym, but the sessions show how gentle exercise, done properly, can be good for you.

“The sessions are designed to exercise the large muscles of the body, but without the hard impact of some exercise regimes.”

Cllr Liddiard – who is also the council’s sports champion - added: “I was really surprised, you don’t realise how much work you’re doing, then you notice you’re breathing deep, your heart is beating faster, and to a certain extent your muscles ache.

“Getting and staying fit is an important part of improving your life chances and simply extending your life. I always advise people to look carefully at what’s out there and seek out the best way for them to exercise.”

Statistics show that over half the people of Essex are not taking part in sport or physical activity – the England-wide figure also shows 52 per cent not participating.

Active Essex is launching Get Active Essex to get the people of Essex more active. The campaign consists of posters, social media, online advertising and working with our partners to promote throughout the county.

The campaign also aims to direct residents to the brand new online finder, the one stop shop for all sport clubs and activities in Essex www.activeessex.org/getactive Also on Wednesday, in Chelmsford, sports superstar and Strictly sensation Mark Foster re-launched Get Active Essex county-wide. It is a campaign that aims to encourage a healthier and more active county.

He was in Central Park, Chelmsford, where a crowd gathered to run, walk and jog a special lunchtime 3km course.

Essex-boy Mark said: “It was brilliant to see so many people taking part. I’m really proud to have launched the campaign with Active Essex and I look forward to seeing how it progresses. I hope I, with Active Essex, will help inspire the people of Essex to become more active.

“I am passionate about encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle and am proud to have been asked to be the face of Get Active Essex. This Active Essex campaign will be crucial in encouraging the people of Essex to get active whether it be walking, running, cycling, swimming or maybe even dancing.

“There are so many ways to keep physically active. It’s not all about running or going to the gym. Even going for a walk or doing the gardening can have a great impact on your health. This campaign is great because it directs people to a variety of different clubs and activities suitable for all so there will definitely be something for everyone.”

The campaign will also encourage residents to join in with the campaign on social media by uploading photos of them taking part in sports and physical activity and using the hashtag #getactiveessex and being in with a chance of winning a bike.

For more information on the campaign, follow @activeessex on Twitter or visit www.activeessex.org