Ulverston has begun the process of pushing to be recognised by the World Health Organisation as the first 'healthy town' in Cumbria.

A steering group has been brought together consisting of council members, NHS professionals and town representatives to help put Ulverston on the map.

Over the next six months a community plan will be drawn up find ways of improving the social, economic and health outcomes in the town, with the goal of creating a lasting legacy of wellbeing in Ulverston.

One of the driving forces behind the plan, Councillor Mark Wilson said pushing for healthy town status would showcase the aspirational nature of the community.

He said: "This is a town with aspiration, to place itself to face the future. People want to do this, they can see when we come together under the umbrella of a healthy town status we are setting up a marvelous project."

A partnership of 18 businesses, councils and community groups will spearhead the project. Meetings are already under way to plan how groups can best work together to improve health outcomes in the town.

If Ulverston achieves healthy town status, it will be the first of its kind in Cumbria to do so, following Carlisle which was named a healthy city in 2009.

The healthy town/city model is seen as a way of taking preventative steps in the community to reduce stress on services further down the line. For instance, if members of the public can be persuaded to make healthy changes in their lifestyle, potential future reliance on the NHS could be avoided.

Mike Conefrey, public health manager for South Lakeland emphasised the power local communities had to affect their own health outcomes. He said: "It's about what the community can do to help people make the right decisions."

As well as the clear objective of improving health, making people happier and fostering a sense of wellbeing are both criteria that have to be met in order to be a healthy town.

"It's not just about running or eating right, but helping a neighbour put their bin out, it's the small things that we do, we're helping people recognise the strength of their community," Mr Conefrey continued.

Cllr Wilson said the initiative was something local businesses were eager to get behind. As well as three levels of local government and the NHS, voluntary organisations and larger businesses have all signalled their interest.

Cllr Wilson said: "They're enthusiastic, they are self-inviting themselves to the table, they're clamouring to join us.

Within the next three to six months, the town will know if it has reached the standards required to be known as a healthy town. If they are successful Cllr Wilson is hopeful the town could be used as an example for others across the country.

He said: "This is building a healthy legacy for the town, I'm really excited by it."

On Friday a 'Living Well' fair will be held at the town's library from 9.30am. It will set out information and advice for members of the public wanting to learn more about how to stay healthy as they grow older, and what support is available to them.

Over the coming months events such as this will form the cornerstone of Ulverston's drive to secure healthy town status.

Read more from Ulverston: