A Sale Moor doctor who organised a health walk for her patients was startled when more than 70 people eagerly tagged along for the first outing.

Dr Yvonne Burke had the idea of organising a health walk for her patients at Boundary House Medical Centre, Sale Moor, eighteen months ago.

Walking for Health is a national scheme, helping people across the country lead a more active lifestyle by taking part in short walks over easy terrain.

But the Trafford Walks for Health has proved more popular than Dr Burke expected and the good doctor is appealing for more volunteer walk leaders.

Dr. Burke, who is also a clinical advisor for the Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The walks are aimed at increasing physical activity and bringing people together socially. They have such potential as a medicine. They are free and without any side effects.

She added: “The after walk tea is probably as popular as the walking. We all meet afterwards for tea at the bowling pavilion in Walton Park and the community centre at Woodheys Park.”

Dr Burke and her colleagues have launched a training programme for walk leaders to help with demand.

Jan and Bob Nicholl have been helping with the Timperley walk based at West Timperley Medical Centre for six months.

Jan said: “After our happy go lucky walks along the canal or in a park, we put the world to rights with a cup of tea in a local café which is popular socially.”

The next training course for volunteers will be at Sale Sports Club on September 17.

If you are interested in becoming a walk leader, you can contact Dave Walmsley at dwalmsley@uk2.net.

For more information visit walkingforhealth.org.uk