AN EAST Lancashire council has received praise for having the healthiest staff in the North West.

Staff sickness levels have plummeted due to a ‘wellbeing’ scheme at Hyndburn Council which provides regular keep fit classes and special stress relieving sessions, including massage.

Staff are regularly enjoying ‘well attended’ boxercise, zumba, yoga and tai chi classes.

The scheme has also seen staff receive Indian head massages from Accrington and Rossendale College beauty therapy students and they have taken part in cycling events with free bikes provided.

Staff sickness levels were cut by a third last year compared to the previous 12 months. Now Hyndburn is the first North West council to be awarded an ‘Excellence’ accreditation from the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, which is overseen by the NHS and local Primary Care Trusts.

Coun Pam Barton, who oversees the scheme, said: “We value the health of our workforce and we’ll carry on working hard to improve it. Our enthusiastic team of volunteers has introduced a range of activities and health and wellbeing interventions over the years and the Workplace Wellbeing Charter is welcome recognition of their work.”

Hyndburn Council also regularly raises awareness of health issues.

Since implementing the scheme staff sickness levels have dropped from an average of nine per year to six. A special wellbeing team made up of council officers from different departments also organise lunchtime cycle and walks and ‘fruit Mondays’ with fruit provided to kitchens the first Mondays in the month to encourage healthy eating.

Chairman of the North West Health, Work and Wellbeing Partnership, Will Blandamer said: “We’re really encouraged to see the great things Hyndburn Council are doing to show their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their staff.”