ELDERLY and unfit people can take their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle with the launch of a new walking project.

Stepping Out is an initiative to encourage people who do not take regular exercise to join organised brisk walks in a bid to reduce the rate of coronary heart disease.

The project, which will be officially launched on Sunday, is run in Hyndburn by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Service.

Co-ordinator Melissa Taylor, said: "Very few people in Hyndburn walk regularly or briskly enough to gain health benefits associated with physical activity.

"However, on the positive side, more than half the population would like to take more exercise.

"This is a wonderful new project in which we're encouraging people to take up walking as a fun and enjoyable form of physical activity.

"It aims to increase the participation in, and promote the benefits of, walking in Hyndburn to improve physical, social and mental health."

The project is part of the national Walking the Way to Health initiative (WHI) which is spearheaded by the Countryside Agency and the British Heart Foundation.

Additional funding on a national scale has also come from the New Opportunities Fund and Kia Cars.

In Hyndburn the cost of the project is being met through a WHI grant, Hyndburn's Healthy Heart Project and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. A total of £60,000 has been invested until March 2004.

Guided walks, which last one hour, have been planned along different routes in Accrington, Clayton-le-Moors, Huncoat, Church and Oswaldtwistle.

The project also aims to put together walking packs for those who wish to walk independently along planned interconnecting walks.

Coralie Giles, 66, of West End, Oswaldtwistle, joined one of the organised walks yesterday. She said: "I take gentle exercise already including badminton and swimming so this is another way of staying healthy."

Joanne Hanrahan, 39, of Whalley Road, Accrington, said: "I heard about this through Spring Hill keep fit club and thought I would join in as it is another form of exercise to improve fitness."

Nichola Kennedy, of Hyndburn's Healthy Heart Project, said the scheme had attracted a wide range of walkers so far and was ideal for people who did not want to take exercise alone or those who simply want to get out of the house.

The project will be launched officially on Sunday at Oswaldtwistle Mills between 1pm and 3pm with a short walk, children's entertainment and background information.