Nordic walking heads for Westergate

The arctic method of getting around is being launched at the Six Villages Sports Centre, without the snow hopefully, by enthusiast Michelle Woodhouse.

Take two lightweight carbon fibre poles, a decent pair of shoes and anyone who signs up will be away - fast.

Nordic walking covers more ground in the same time than normal hiking and is a serious aerobic exercise.

Michelle explained: "It's so good for you. Going nordic walking involves 90 per cent of a person's muscles and they burn off 20 per cent more calories than they would if they walking normally."

She is holding three hour-long taster sessions at the sports centre, in Lime Avenue, on April 14. They will take place at 4.40pm, 6pm and 7.30pm.

These will be followed by the start of her six-week course from April 21.

It will be unique in the Bognor Regis and Chichester areas. The initial route will be around the adjoining Westergate Community School's playing fields.

Yapton resident Michelle (45), a PA at the school, said: "Nordic walking is a fun activity. There's no competition whatsoever and anyone over 16 can join in."

She held some sessions last year and ended up taking a group of women around Slindon Woods. She is also involved in a well-established group at Worthing.

"Nordic walking is not all that well known at the moment," she added. "People say it looks interesting and many of them have heard of it.

"Some people might be worried that they will look a bit silly walking along with two poles.

"But, once you are in a group, you don't take any notice of that sort of thing."