RESIDENTS across West Devon are getting fit and healthy — thanks to a new programme being rolled out across Devon.

Devon Active Villages is a development programme funded by Devon County Council, Sport England and Active Devon, which supports village communities in the county to provide long-term, sustainable sports participation opportunities.

The main purpose of the programme is to offer people of all ages opportunities to experience the fun of sport and build a lifelong love of being active and healthy.

An initial pilot phase in Lifton and Hatherleigh has now been completed. In Lifton a series of Dancecise, pilates and funky fit classes gave adults the chance to become more healthy and active.  

The funky fit classes combines a different style of aerobic workout every week, and features lots of funky moves so that participants can enjoy the thrill of dancing as well as toning their muscles and increasing their aerobic capacity.  

From Latin style to body combat, each workout is choreographed differently to keep things exciting, have fun and get results.

Meanwhile in Hatherleigh a fun netball night gave some women who had not played netball since leaving school the chance to brush up on their skills, or for those who played already, some valuable practice out of the netball season.

The next phase of the programme has now begun, which incorporates the villages of Chagford, Lamerton, North Tawton and Dartmoor Forest.

Within each community a project officer identifies what opportunities each local community wants, provides financial and practical support to 'kick start' these activities and help them sustain them into the longer term, and provides access to training programmes for volunteer coaches and helpers.

In addition to improving the health and fitness benefits through increased sport and activity, the scheme also aims to bring communities together; reduce health inequality and improve life chances; and focus the energies of children and young people, creating safer communities by reducing anti-social behaviour and increasing skills and prosperity.

Cllr John Hart, Leader of Devon County Council said: 'Devon County Council has worked closely with Active Devon on the bid and will be contributing £360,000 to Devon Active Villages over a three-year period.  

'Our villages often lack the opportunities available to those who live in our towns and cities.  This programme will provide many more people with the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of sports and at the same time help improve levels of health and fitness.'

Matt Evans, head of development for Active Devon, said: 'Active Devon are extremely pleased that the response of local people to the opportunity to shape their sporting choices has been so positive and enthusiastic.  

'Throughout Devon nearly 800 participants have registered in the communities that have already been included so far. We look forward to many more getting involved as more communities are offered the chance to be part of the project in the forthcoming phases.'