Researchers studying an exercise referral scheme running in Forest Heath have found that those completing the 10-week programme showed "small but important changes" in a number of key measurements.

The study into the Active For Life scheme, carried out by the MRC Epidemiology Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, found that many participants reduced their blood pressure, increased their peak flow and decreased their weight and waist circumference.

It also found evidence of social, emotional and physical improvements.

Andy Killin, operations manager for sports trust Anglia Community Leisure, which runs the Active For Life scheme in Forest Heath, said: "Active for Life continues to develop and, with our full commitment to the Technogym Wellness System, we are working to ensure that our protocols for data collection are more robust.

"By continually improving our data collection we can provide evidence to officials that the scheme is working and should continue to receive funding."

The study highlighted however that approximately half of those who started the scheme, which has been running for 15 years, failed to complete it. "We need to continue our evaluation to find out why some people complete the scheme and others drop out," said Killin. "We also want to carry out a long-term follow-up of participants to see whether the benefits are sustained."

Tony Bass, chief executive of Anglia Community Leisure, added: "We felt that the course was beneficial to people but we needed to show it.

"We are grateful to the MRC for the research and we will put this information to good use when further developing the scheme and capturing data in the future. This piece of work will be useful for all those involved with exercise referral schemes across West Suffolk."

The results of the study have been published in the journal, Public Health.