AS spring approaches, it’s an ideal time to try to improve our health and fitness and eat more fresh, nutritious food.

The World is launching a health campaign to help Halton residents change their lifestyle so we all feel better and have more energy, as well as reducing the amount of food we throw away.

Our Let’s Cook project will invite chefs to share their secrets with you.

We hope to show you how to cook cheap, fresh, tasty dishes that will save you money.

Runcorn chef Toby Dunne, aged 30, of Lambsickle Lane, Weston village, is keen to encourage people to buy fresh, local produce.

He said: “I cook everything from scratch. I’m passionate about fresh food.

“It works out cheaper and is easy.”

We will be publishing his recipes as health chiefs also provide simple tips on how we can reduce our risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

This week we are teaming up with Halton Hospital which will have teams of professionals at Halton Lea shopping centre on Tuesday.

Shoppers can chat to specialists about a range of health issues.

Various other organisations will have experts on hand to offer advice.

The cardiac rehabilitation team will be offering information and support.

Chris Horner, from Halton Hospital, said: “They provide health and exercise programmes in the community.

“People who have had heart problems can come along and chat to them.

“They run a fantastic service.”

A physiotherapy team is launching a new self-referral service in April for anyone with spinal or back problems.

You will be able to talk to them about their weekly drop-in sessions.

Free blood pressure checks will be carried out from 10am to 4pm by the Stroke Association.

Staff from the new orthopaedic treatment centre will also be available to answer any questions.

Halton Carers’ Centre will provide benefit advice, support and information for anyone who is looking after loved ones.
 

THE FACTS

• The average household in Runcorn and Widnes throws away almost £50 worth of food every month.

• Dumping our rubbish in landfill will cost £2.8 million this year. This bill will rocket by a further £1m in four years as landfill taxes rise.

• Approximately 600 Halton residents are diagnosed with cancer each year and around 300 die from the disease, according to NHS statistics.

• Coronary heart disease is the largest cause of death in Halton, and cancer is the second.

• Halton and St Helens has a mortality rate of 101.26 people per 100,000, compared to a national average of 77.63.

• Diabetes UK says there has been an alarming rise in cases with 17,114 people aged over 17, registered with GPs in Halton and St Helens now diagnosed with diabetes.

• Obesity has risen substantially, with around 20 per cent of Halton residents measured obese in the latest survey.

We want you to get on board our Healthy Halton: Let’s Cook campaign and over the coming weeks we will be asking you to send us pictures of you making some of our healthy recipes.

You can also send us cooking tips or healthy hints to share with readers by emailing newsroom@worldgroup.co.uk