A PUSH to get more residents across Basildon to exercise is working.

A national study has shown a jump in the number of people getting active.

Basildon Council is celebrating the welcome statistics, which reveal a 2.6 per cent growth in sport participation levels throughout the district.

The survey, conducted by Sport England, shows the number of people exercising for at least 30 minutes three times a week has risen from 17.6 per cent in 2006, to 20.2 per cent in 2008.

Councillor Kevin Blake, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for leisure and open spaces, said: “We are delighted by the increase in participation levels which is a major achievement for the council and all its partners.

“The district was set a challenging target in 2006 to increase participation by 1.5 per cent, but has almost doubled that.

“The council has played its part by investing heavily in new sports facilities and running more activities for people of all ages.

“The latest results show participation levels are moving in the right direction and it’s fantastic to see more and more people are motivated to take part in sport.”

He added how plans to build a £35million Olympic sporting village at Gloucester Park will also benefit residents eager to get fit.

He said: “We hope our plans for a sporting village can inspire a whole new generation to live healthier and more active lifestyles.”

Dr Neel Bhaduri, public health commissioning manager for NHS South West Essex, said: “This is a good example of how partnership working between the council and primary care trust is helping to tackle obesity and help people stay fit and healthy.”

The council’s recent spending on sports facilities includes a £400,000 revamp of the artificial pitch at Gloucester Park.

Work on a new £400,000 regional netball centre at the park is also under way and is expected to finish in March.

The rise in participation levels is also linked to schemes run by the council in partnership with the Primary Care Trust’s Mend programme, which sees clinically obese children under 12, and their families, receiving free gym passes.