A five-year programme, set up to improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities in and around Yeovil, received a financial boost this week.

Representatives of the Yeovil Health Opportunities Programme, set to kick off in the summer, received a cheque for £628,000 from the Lottery New Opportunities Fund at the Interstep Café on Tuesday.

The sum will go a long way to finance the programme, which involves a number of various organisations under overall management of South Somerset District Council.

A spokesperson said: "A range of new health projects will be included in the programme, some targeted specifically at young people and others serving the wider community. All will contribute to spreading the healthy living message and tackling the underlying causes of ill health.

"For example, a guidance service will be established to encourage a healthier lifestyle amongst 14-25-year-olds, particularly for those leaving care and those without training and jobs."

Other projects within the programme will include a service to find work placements for those recovering from mental illness. Help will also be offered to groups wanting to tackle health issues such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer etc,

Elaine Peters, the council's chief executive, commented: ìThe council is very pleased to see these significant lottery funds being awarded towards health work. The bid is a fantastic team effort by a whole range of agencies.

"We intend to play a full and active part with the Community Development Trust and other specialist agencies in making sure that healthy living is on everyone's agenda."