A five-year strategy to get people more involved in sport and physical activity has been launched in Wigan.

The SHAPE (Sport Health and Physical Education) framework will be co-ordinated by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) and come into being in 2007.

Nick Colledge, sport and healthy living manager for WLCT, said, "There is evidence that shows how important it is for people to be physically active in terms of both improving their general health and reducing the risks of developing such conditions as Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease. Participation in sport and physical activity also brings a wide range of other benefits, including education and skill attainment, safer and stronger communities, as well as the enjoyment of taking part itself.

"The SHAPE policy is not a document to gather dust, but a way in which we can start to change the whole culture of how people view physical activity.

“We have a good track record in Wigan – a recent survey indicated that we are the second most active borough in Greater Manchester – but these levels are still far too low."

The scheme, endorsed by the Wigan Borough Partnership, is being funded through a £360,000 grant which has been pledged by Sport England towards sport and healthy living projects in Wigan Borough for the next financial year.

It has been designed to address the inequalities which impact on the borough’s residents, including levels of physical activity; sense of identity, confidence and leadership; health of the population; strength of the community; and sporting and educational excellence.

Councillor James Moodie added: "The framework to positively improve people's lifestyles is now in place, but the hard work starts here. Between now and the spring we will be working with the Primary Care Trust, all council departments and the voluntary and private sectors to look at ways in which we can work together to get more people physically active.

“No single organisation can make a difference on their own - this is a strong pledge for us to work together.” Details: www.wlct.org