A NEW walking programme is coming to the Malvern Hills district next year to encourage people to get active while making new friends.

'Walking To Fitness' is an interval-based walking programme aimed at complete beginners which is held over the course of eight weeks.

The weekly sessions, run by UKA qualified supportive leaders, generally take between 30 to 45 minutes and include an appropriate warm up and cool down.

The course costs £20 per person and has been organised by Malvern Hills District Council.

The programme will start on the following dates-

• Monday, January 20: 9:15am-10:15am, Upton Hill Community Centre.

• Tuesday, January 21: 12.45pm-1.45pm at Malvern Hills District Council.

• Wednesday, January 23: 2pm-3pm, Callow End Village Hall.

Rachel Nicholls, physical activity and wellbeing officer at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We are pleased to bring a new walking programme to the residents of Upton-Upon-Severn, Callow End and Malvern.

"These weekly sessions are a great opportunity for building fitness and improving health, all in a sociable setting."

To check availability on the Walking To Fitness courses please email getactive@malvernhills.gov.uk or telephone 01684 862475.

People of all ages are welcome.

Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/walking-for-health for more information.

For those more inclined towards running, the district council has also launched its popular 'Couch to 5k' scheme.

The scheme, for complete beginners, is designed to help people go from inactive to being able to run five kilometres.

These courses will run from:

• Tuesday, January 14:10.30am until 11.30am at Upton Hill Community Centre

• Tuesday, January 14: from 6.30pm until 7.30pm at Malvern Vale Community Centre.

• Wednesday, January 15: from 9.15am until 10.15am at Pendock Primary School.

• Thursday, January 16: 12pm until 1pm at the Council House in Avenue Road.