Drive to improve 'historically low' fitness levels

South Holland and North Lincolnshire are two of 27 areas in the country to receive funding

Communities will receive a share of £250m in funding from Sport England to help improve people's fitness.

South Holland and North Lincolnshire are two of 27 locations in the country to benefit from the nationwide investment.

Emma Tatlow, chief executive of Active Lincolnshire, said physical activity levels across the county have been "historically lower" than the national average.

She said: "This programme will look at a really broad range of barriers and reasons why people aren't being active and will work really closely with the community to understand how we can change the system."

Sport England said residents in former industrial communities in North Lincolnshire could develop multiple long-term conditions "far earlier" than those living in more affluent villages.

In rural districts like South Holland, issues like heavy pressure on the NHS, lower workforce participation and loneliness were "deepening", it added.

'Not fair'

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, executive director of place at Sport England, said it was "simply not fair" that not everyone has the same opportunities to be active.

"This matters because we know healthy lives save £10.5bn for the health system," she added.

Ms Tatlow said people struggled to keep fit due to affordability, transport barriers and a lack of inclusive opportunities.

She added that the funding would focus on "people with disabilities, people with long-term health conditions, ethnic minority communities, women and girls".

David Gent, CEO of Active Humber, said the Humber was the second most physically inactive place in England and the investment would "build on all of the great stuff that North Lincolnshire has".

The programme is currently in its development stage and how much funding each area will receive has not been decided yet.

But Active Lincolnshire and Active Humber said they would be working with communities to understand where the money would make most of an impact.

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