MENTAL health patients are being urged to put their best foot forward at a new friendly walking group.

Run by LIFT Psychology, the health walks are aimed at people with a range of issues, from depression and stress to anxiety, who may be overwhelmed or intimidated at the prospect of signing up to larger rambler groups or the council's busy health walks scheme.

"Walks are a great way to socialise, and meet other people," says Emily Connolly, LIFT assistant psychology practitioner. "And we know that physical activity can be really good for things like depression and anxiety so we decided to combine the two for people who maybe were too anxious to go to some of the big health walks. We just wanted to take away those barriers away for them. It's a smaller group, casual and easy-going."

The group meets every Tuesday morning outside LIFT's headquarters at Old Town Surgery for a 40 min gentle walk.

While aimed at people suffering or recovering from mental health issues, participants are under no pressure to discuss their problems or share their stories with fellow ramblers or walk leaders.

"We don't dwell on the reasons why people join," says walk leader Karen Hallwood. "We just socialise. There's no pressure. But if they want to talk they can; we've all been through it."

The walks are free and open to anyone currently using or who has used LIFT's services.

To join or find out more about LIFT Psychology call 01793 836836 or go to www.seqol.org/lift-psychology.