RESIDENTS across Cheshire West and Chester are being urged to offer their views on being physically active in the area.

The survey was launched by the council on Wednesday to gain understanding of how many people are active through fitness and physical activity.

A CWaC spokesman said the survey was to find out reasons why people were not exercising to address future health concerns.

They added: “There is strong scientific evidence that being physically active at any age can help people have a healthier and happier life.

“Physical activity can support positive mental health and wellbeing and reduce a person’s risk of developing major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer. It can also lower risk of early death by up to 30 per cent.

“However, almost a fifth of adults in Cheshire West and Chester are not active enough to benefit their health.

“This can be for many different reasons, with time, cost, motivation, and even fear of being judged cited as common barriers for people not being active.”

As part of the drive to support the health and wellbeing of residents, CWAC’s Eat Well Be Active Partnership is launching a short survey for adults who live in the borough, to understand what activity they do, and what helps or hinders them to be active.

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Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and chairman of the Eat Well Be Active Partnership, added: “Being active is so very important for our physical and mental health, but we know that many people face barriers to taking part in physical activity.

“In Cheshire West and Chester, we want to make it easy for people to be active in ways in which they enjoy.

“To do this, we need to listen to what residents want and need and this is why it’s so important that we get residents views.

“Whether you’re as active as you want to be, struggle to be as active as you’d like, or don’t have the motivation to be active but see the benefits, we want to hear from you.”

The survey will help develop a Cheshire West and Chester Physical Activity (adult) needs assessment, that will inform a physical activity strategy for the borough.

The survey is open until Friday, December 20.

By completing the survey, residents can choose to be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win one of four free three-month Brio Leisure memberships.

To take part in the survey visit www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C5P412/