Professionals and volunteers are hoping to tackle rural health problems for everyone in Wayland through a community group.

The Wayland Health Focus Group was formed in 2000 but has relaunched itself following a partnership with the Wayland Partnership Development Trust and NHS Norfolk and Waveney.

As part of the Healthy Town initiative, the group, which held an information fair last week at Queens Hall in Watton, received �5,000 through the Breckland Local Strategic Partnership last year. It aims to bring people from different parts of the community together to tackle health-related issues, from growing your own food and healthy eating to diabetes.

Jan Godfrey, chairman of the Wayland Partnership, said: 'It is about health improvement and keeping people well rather than letting them fall sick. It is about making people aware and getting them well for the future.

'A group that focuses on wellbeing means people can come together with the same agenda to help themselves make their lives better.'

As well as Watton, the other four Breckland towns Swaffham, Dereham, Attleborough and Thetford have also developed their own Healthy Town groups and it is hoped all areas will share information about tackling certain isssues.

Carol Doherty, project manager for the Healthy Town group, said: 'We know in each of the areas everyone has their own priorities. It is a great way to share what is working and not working so we have a vision for the future.'

Michael Wassell, deputy leader of Breckland Council, said: 'The idea of the five towns working together to learn from best practices is great. In rural areas we tend to share the same problems of isolation and deprivation and hopefully the Healthy Town groups can make them less of a problem.'

The next Wayland Health Focus Group meeting is due to take place on August 8, between 2pm and 4pm, at Wayland House, Watton.

For more information about the group, contact Jan Godfrey by ringing 01953 880202 or emailing jan@jangodfrey.net