MORE unhealthy residents are set to benefit from the borough's exercise on prescription project.

Bury's Exercise and Therapy Scheme (BEATS), launched last July, will be expanded so it has a healthy future ahead.

Patients are referred to BEATS by their GP, where staff tailor a programme of exercise to their needs. This ranges from walking to swimming, fitness courses at Images Gym or other sports such as aerobics, squash or badminton.

So far, 23 GP practices in the borough have referred 80 people to the scheme.

To expand the project, practice nurses are now being trained which means they will be able to refer patients directly onto BEATS.

Councillor Warren Flood, sport and recreation spokesman, said: "Through this programme individuals, perhaps for the first time since they left school, can take part in an organised and structured health and fitness regime.

"More importantly, it is a regime that is tailored to meet their own abilities and can be adjusted accordingly. We are pleased at the initial uptake of BEATs and the aim now is to build on that and get even more people involved."

Austin Griffiths, exercise referral officer, said the scheme was being well supported through local Primary Care Groups and with funding from the Single Regeneration Budget.