SAINTS and the local Health Action Zone have teamed up to help the over-60s improve their quality of life.

Ten people from St Helens have been funded to train as health instructors under the EXTEND initiative - the 'movement to music' for the over sixties and other less-able people of any age.

The project has already proved so popular with community centres, church groups and sheltered housing accommodation within St Helens that more instructors have been trained to meet demand.

EXTEND can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual and can either be carried out from a seated position for those who are quite frail or progressed to dance movements for those who are still quite mobile.

Terry Hanley, St Helens Council's Executive Member for Environmental Protection, said: "With the unacceptable number of falls among elderly people in St Helens an initiative which helps to prevent falls such as this, is more than welcome".

Neil Davies, the council's Health Liaison Officer for Physical Activity, has co-ordinated the training and is looking forward to hearing from more people who would like to participate in EXTEND. He said: "I recently carried out research into the health benefits of EXTEND and was really pleased with the results, people felt that after six months of this activity they could carry out daily tasks much more easily and also really enjoyed the fun side of the initiative".

If you are interested in joining one of the groups, then don't hesitate to give Neil a call on 01744 456468.