A RECENT survey has revealed that more than 60 per cent of people in Stockton enjoy walking to keep active.

More than 2,700 people were interviewed or filled in the survey from Stockton Council and the results showed walking and enjoying the outdoors was the borough's favourite leisure activity.

More than a quarter of those interviewed belonged to a club, team or association, with sports and fitness clubs being the most popular.

The same number of people said they would like to increase their leisure activities if they had access to suitable, affordable facilities.

The survey showed 61 per cent of respondents would like to see more leisure facilities and open spaces near their homes.

Coun Mary Womphrey, Stockton Council's cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: "We would all like to say a big thank you to those people who took the time to carry out the survey.

"The information we have gathered will be used to continue to improve our parks and green spaces and provide the leisure facilities the people of the borough have said they enjoy."

Stockton Council has recently signed up to GreenSTAT, a national system for gathering views and opinions of local residents. It will allow the council to record information to ensure accurate and specific records can be produced and provide information useful in the day to day and management of parks and green spaces.

Log on to www.greenSTAT.org.uk and register online to complete a questionnaire.