WHEN Carol Hill was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 39, the new mum was left devastated by the cruel blow.

After spending more than a year in denial, Carol, of Livingstone Close, Old Hall, finally forced herself to face up to the fact that without any known cure, her condition would get progressively worse.

She said: "With anything else there's always hope, there's the chance it could be cured. But with MS it was like I'd been given a death sentence.

"I felt as if there was no hope. And here I was with a new baby, not been married long. I think that's why I found it so hard to come to terms with. My whole world just caved in."

Three years later, as her condition deteriorated, Carol became a wheelchair user. Determined not to give up and maintain some level of personal fitness, she continued with regular physiotherapy sessions.

But it was not until just a few months ago that she learned about a relatively new service, right on her doorstep, designed to boost activity for those with health problems.

And Carol, now 47, cannot stress enough just how her mobility has improved since she began the Reach for Health sessions at Fordton Leisure Centre.

She said: "I've already noticed a real difference. I can already keep up with the others who don't have MS.

"It's also to do with the whole buzz you get from the adrenalin rush. It's better than being slumped into your wheelchair all day. Just the other day I got my left hand reaching the back of the left wheel and I can't remember the last time I was able to do that.

"I try to do as much as I can because the way I look at it is that one day they will crack this disease and I want to keep all my pathways open so that my condition can be helped when that day arrives."

The Reach for Health exercise referral system is a joint initiative between Warrington Primary Care Trust's health improvement team and Warrington Borough Council's leisure services department.

It is designed to motivate people who are not as active as they should be and need a push to do something about it, and to assist people with high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, asthma, osteoporosis or weight problems in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

The scheme is based on the principle that the key to improving health is taking regular, gentle exercise, which includes swimming, low impact aerobics, 'future fit' gyms, ranger-led walks, dance sessions and community-based exercise.

Access to the programme is usually following referral from a GP or practice nurse.

Carol added: "People need to know that this wonderful facility is out there, no-one seems to know about it - yet it's out there and it can make such a difference, just like it has done for me."