SOLE Mates, an organised scheme to help people walk their way to better health, enjoyed a successful launch in Malvern on Monday.

More than 20 people turned out to join Dr Michael Colquhoun, of Court Road Surgery, at Langland Community Centre for a circular half-hour heath walk, followed by soup and rolls.

The scheme, which is to encourage people who take very little exercise to walk regularly, will now run guided walks from the centre twice a week.

Part of a national Walking the Way to Health initiative, it is supported by the Countryside Agency and the British Heart Foundation.

"We were very pleased with the response on Monday," said Meryl Johnson, health promotion co-ordinator at Worcestershire Health Authority, who has helped organise the scheme.

"It was a beautiful day, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

"We want to encourage the social aspect of the scheme, as well as the health aspect. People can go on the walk and sit down for a cup of tea afterwards, and hopefully make new friends.

"The health benefits of walking are enormous," she added.

"A thirty-minute walk five times a week cuts the risk of heart attacks by half."

It has taken 18 months to put the scheme in place.

"All routes have to be very carefully thought out," Ms Johnson said.

"We have to make sure they are accessible to everyone, and the Highways Partnership has been very helpful with drop kerbs and slopes to ensure wheelchair users can access them.

"We will change the times depending on what people want."

Walk are supervised by two leaders with first-aid training, and scheme initiator Chris Lennard has asked for volunteers.

The circular walks, which vary between half a mile to two miles in length, start from Langland Community Centre on Wednesdays at 6pm and Fridays at 10am. No booking is necessary, and anyone wishing to volunteer as a leader should contact Mr Lennard on 01684 563392.