FIFE Council’s Bums of Seats team has been helping Fifers to become regular walkers, and to improve their health as a result, for some time.

And a group from Cowdenbeath have been earning their spurs.

Over the years Bums off Seats has delivered a whopping 83,000 community health walks in Fife led by a fantastic team of 460 volunteer walk leaders.

There is currently almost 4,000 walkers registered on the community programme and over 4,600 on the specialist walk programme, which is for people who need a bit more support to walk.

Councillor Mark Hood, Executive Committee Member and Chair of Fife Sports Partnership, recently met with the latest walking group to be established in Fife. The Walk On group regularly meet at Cowdenbeath Library for a health walk around the local area and welcome all ages and stages of walker!

He said: “The lighter nights are here and the warmer weather is on the way so it’s the perfect time of year to think about getting outside more and increasing your physical activity.

"Improving people’s access to sport and physical activity opportunities is a priority for the Council and we’re keen to remind people of the free health walks on offer in their local area and that this is a really good time of year to give it a go.

“These walks can have a hugely positive impact on the people taking part. Walking regularly can help to manage weight, prevent diabetes, improve mental health and reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. Joining a walking group can also help with motivation and meeting new people."

Hed added: “I’m really pleased to see the successful Bums off Seats network grow even more through the Walk On partnership project with Fife Cultural Trust which encourages walkers to have a chat about books after their local health walk!”

Yvonne Melville, Service Development Team Leader for Libraries (Adults) with Fife Cultural Trust added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Council’s Bums Off Seats team on such a successful project as Walk ON.

"We’re looking forward to watching our latest Walk ON group in Cowdenbeath develop, with confidence levels growing and friendships being built, and most importantly seeing the smiles on faces at the end of each session. We’re already looking to expand the project further with sessions for parents and toddlers and new locations being available later in the year.”

To find out more about local Bums off Seats and Walk On health walks in your area visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/bumsoffseats or call 01592 583343.