A BRIGHT warm day greeted the brand new Tavy 'Couch to 5k' joggers' group as they met their coaches for the first walk and jog out as a team.

In the hour the participants spent time warming up on Tavistock Community College's rugby field with some gentle exercises, before moving on to the athletic track for what turned out to be a promising start to the exercise programme, prior to cooling down with some stretching to prevent any aches later in the day.

Coach Sheila Houghton said: 'This was a fantastic start to our Couch to 5k programme. All the coaches agreed that the group was a delight to work with and we have no doubt that in eleven weeks time if not sooner they will all be running round the local 5k course, the "5kool run" if not taking part in 5k races further afield.'

One member of the group said: 'I was really worried that I would not be able to keep up and that everyone would be fitter than me, it was so nice to be exercising with people who like me are brand new to this having had years of not taking care of my weight and fitness.'

Another new member said: 'With a good mix of male and female joggers and coaches this is an easy group to feel comfortable in.'

At the end of their first week the group received a discount voucher to be spent at local Tavistock sports shop Active & Co as well as handouts on stretching advice.

Tavistock Couch to 5k group meet every Saturday morning at 10am at the Tavistock Athletic Track in the grounds of Tavistock Community College. The programme is designed for people who have not been actively engaged in sport or regular activity for some time and welcomes all who want to have a go, over the age of 16, irrespective of gender and fitness levels.