RESIDENTS will be encouraged to take up walking, cycling and gardening in a bid to improve the town’s health.

Warrington Borough Council has published its annual Public Health Annual Report, in which it outlines its main challenges and aims for improving the wellbeing of residents.

The council’s public health team will focus on delivering services fairly across each area of the town, as well as the prevention of health problems.

A new scheme aiming to get residents active will also be launched as part of the report.

Let’s Get Moving will shift the focus away from getting exercise through sports and will instead encourage residents to walk, garden or cycle for 30 minutes per week in order to stay healthy.

Director of public health Dr Muna Abdel Aziz said: “The Public Health Annual Report is an important document which sets out how we can work together to ensure all of our communities have access to high quality health services and that health and wellbeing is built into all of the decisions we make.

“The report outlines our commitment to direct resources more effectively towards prevention of problems rather than on more costly interventions after problems have arisen.

“It also highlights the increasing national importance of the physical activity agenda and its role in promoting healthy, happy communities which will be supported by the new Active Warrington strategy.”

Warrington Borough Council’s executive board will discuss the report during a Town Hall meeting on Monday.