A recent study found that people living in the Easington district of County Durham had an obesity rate of 22% higher than the national average.

The local council and health trust are planning to open a �750,000 healthy living centre in the former Waterworks building in Easington Colliery.

People in the area are being consulted on what services it should provide.

Focal point

Thousands of leaflets and questionnaires are being posted to homes in the Horden, Easington Colliery, Easington Village and north Peterlee areas.

They will also be available in local schools, post offices, libraries and through voluntary organisations.

Fiona Gillespie, healthy living resource centre coordinator for County Durham Primary Care Trust, said: "The new centre will provide a focal point for the local community and give a range of organisations and community groups an opportunity to address real issues which affect the quality of life of the Easington community.

"We want to know what local people want and the questionnaire, as well as the events taking place, will give local people a chance to tell us what health and other services they would like to see provided in the centre and what would attract people to use the services available."