A NORDIC walking club has teamed up with a number of leisure centres to offer free sessions in a bid to get people active.

Harrow Striders, which was founded by Sue and Den Collen, was set up so people could improve their health and fitness while enjoying the beautiful green spaces in the borough.

In a new initiative with Everyone Active – which operates Harrow Leisure Centre, Hatch End Swimming Pool and Bannister Sports Centre – the group is carrying out free trials, which take place every Tuesday at 10am in Byron Park.

Sue and Den have lived in Harrow for the past 20 years and decided to take up Nordic Walking in response to their own health challenges.

They are now qualified instructors and are always looking to improve the health and wellbeing of others through their varied ‘Walking to Wellness’ programme.

Den said: “We have programmes in many parks in Harrow and want to make use of these amazing green spaces.

“The Everyone Active team are really up for launching the activity and the location on the edge of green belt land is ideal for a full range of walks from well-being to work out.”

After the free taster sessions, Harrow Leisure Centre will be running regular four-week ‘Learn to Nordic Walk’ courses, which will take place every Wednesday at 2pm.

The programme will then be rolled out at Bannister Sports Centre and Hatch End Swimming Pool later in the year.

Navin Seneviratne, community development manager at Everyone Active, said it was always on the look-out for fun, sociable ways for its members to keep fit.

“It’s a great opportunity for friends and family to get together as it’s such a simple way of getting active,” he explained.