HEALTH trainers will start work across some of the most deprived areas of Worcester in a bid to improve people's lifestyles.

Up to three trainers could be employed as part of a pilot scheme in the Warndon, Tolladine and Rainbow Hill areas.

The pilot will be run by Worcester City Council and CAP360 Community Company, a not-for-profit charitable organisation, on behalf of Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

The trainers will give people one-to-one advice and advise them on changing their lifestyles for the better by giving up smoking, exercising and losing weight.

They will also point them towards other services such as screening, social services, occupational therapists, health visitors, sexual health services, drug and alcohol services, employment and training advice and housing and welfare rights.

The trainers will be targeted towards people who are normally regarded as hard to reach and unmotivated.

Confirmation that the year-long pilot scheme will go ahead at the beginning of April follows a report by your Worcester News on figures which showed the death toll among people living in Warndon, Rainbow Hill and Tolladine was 45 per cent higher than in other parts of Worcestershire.

At a Worcester City Council cabinet meeting, councillors welcomed the success of the bid, which will cost £59,999 with three trainers initially.

If successful, up to £150,000 could be spent on seven trainers working across the city.

Councillor Simon Geraghty said: "It reinforces our desire to make a difference in some of Worcester's most deprived areas. I hope it's something which the PCT are committed to and can help address. This will help save the National Health Service a lot of money."

Coun David Tibbutt, a retired doctor, said he had seen a similar scheme fail because it was not focused enough and added: "This initiative is focused and focused on three areas where there are particular problems.

"We are starting with a large number of people who could benefit."