Workers across the North-East hit the medal trail yesterday with the start of the Office Olympics.

They now have one month to notch up as many fitness points as they can before the July 30 deadline.

The scheme is part of a drive to get the North fit and encourage people to fit exercise into their daily routine.

Only 28pc of people in the region currently take enough exercise compared to a national average of 32pc.

Simple lifestyle changes like walking to work or joining a local sports team count towards medal-winning points.

Merit points are awarded for the more activities you do - with a simple walk to work for a month leading to a bronze medal, and silver and gold for the more exercise you do.

Workers in more than 100 companies across the region were hitting the gyms, cycle paths and walking routes in a bid to bump up their medal tally and improve their health along the way.

Regional director at Sport England, Judith Rasmussen, explained the thinking behind the campaign: "We have the worst health record of all the English regions. We need to bring about a major culture change in people's attitude to exercise and show people that by making small changes to their lives they can become fit for work and fit for life.

"Olympic level performances aren't expected in the Everyday Sport Office Games. The idea is to get people thinking about how they can be more active without making dramatic changes to their lives and have a bit of fun at the same time."

Staff at development agency OneNorth East are among the front runners in the medal race. Activities on offer at the Newburn-based office include lunchtime aerobics classes, a running club and birdwatching sessions and staff regularly field teams in events including the Blaydon Race, the Corporate Games and the Kielder Challenge.

The office, based at the Newburn Riverside estate, boasts its own gym and showers and walkers and joggers can take advantage of a 2.2-mile nature trail outside. The cafe provides healthy eating options to encourage staff to refuel sensibly after their exertions.

Programme executive, Lynne Davies, 41, who set up the running club last year said: "Every lunchtime we go out and run about three or four miles. We're none of us marathon material, we're joggers and plodders but it's a great way of unwinding.

"I get back to my desk feeling refreshed and ready for the afternoon.

"If you sit at a desk all day and eat lunch at your desk it's easy to get into bad habits and end up not doing any exercise all day."

Lynne, who is divorced and lives in Westerhope, said fitting exercise into her working day left her with more time and energy to spend with her eight-year-old son Jamie.

Colleague Dionne Moore, 28, an administrator, said she was already feeling the benefits of her lunchtime sessions in the work gym.

She said: "I've started to notice a change in my shape and I'm getting more toned. I love exercise and being active and it's great that there are the facilities here to support that."

Chief Executive Alan Clarke, himself a keen cyclist, insisted the benefits of the exercise-friendly workplace were fiscal as well as physical.

Mr Clarke, 50, said: "There's a bit of method in the madness. An active, healthy workforce is a productive workforce. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

"There is a real keenness and willingness to get involved in the workforce here."

Page 2: You don't have to run a marathon