DO you ever jump into the car or take a bus to travel short distances, when you know you should walk? I know I do!

When you hear so much about the nation's expanding waistline you'd think that we were eating more than we were years ago. In fact we're eating less. People just aren't walking enough!

Local health and fitness expert Claire Ramwell says we should take more opportunity to take a walk. She said: "The answer is lack of physical activity, or at it's most simple, walking, our oldest mode of transport!

"This week is National Walk to School Week. These days one in ten cars on the road between 8am and 9am is on the 'school run', causing traffic congestion.

"This week, why not leave the car, set off a bit earlier and walk the children to school? Walking is healthy and a form of physical activity that can be fitted into everyday life.

"Regular walking can improve confidence, stamina, energy, weight control and life expectancy and needs no specialist equipment.

"If you can only walk for a couple of minutes and then you need a rest, that's OK. Don't worry about what level you start from - it's where you're going that counts!

"Try to walk on most days of the week - start with ten minutes and gradually increase the time you spend walking. Get off the bus a stop earlier, park your car a little further away, walk to school with friends. Build it up bit by bit and know what you're aiming for.

"To get the health benefits, you only need to walk for 30 minutes, five days a week. If it is easier to break this down into two walks of 15 minutes in a day, that's just as good."

There's a Walk This Way project in Blackburn and Darwen which offers a number of weekly and monthly led walks. Last year more than 300 people benefited from joining the short health walks. Longer and themed walks are also available through Countryside Services.

So why not help congestion, the environment, feel fitter and put your best foot forward?

If you would like to know more about walking groups in your area contact Matt Donnelly, Health Walks Leader, on 01254 694503.