An interactive event is being held in Diss to try and promote better health, fitness and lifestyle improvements amongst families.

Representatives from more than 20 health services will be on hand with advice and information at the 'Healthy Happy Families' event at Diss Corn Hall between 3pm and 4.30pm next Thursday, September 18.

The event, organised jointly by Norfolk County Council's healthy communities team and South Norfolk Council, is open to everyone - but there will be a strong emphasis on families with children.

It will include the chance to book free one-to-one support from local health trainers, information on breastfeeding and children's centres and an opportunity to learn about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Educational and entertaining company MOMO Theatre will also present a fun and motivational show at 3.45pm, designed to encourage children to eat the right foods, while trails officers from Norfolk County Council will promote walking routes in the area to encourage greater levels of fitness.

Paul Smyth, chairman of Norfolk County Council's communities committee, said: 'With an emphasis on having fun, this event is a great opportunity for families, especially children, to find out more about how to lead healthier lives.

'By bringing a range of services together in one place, we will hopefully generate lots of public interest and have a real impact in promoting better health, wellness, fitness and lifestyle improvements among the local community.'

Lucy Macleod, interim director for public health for Norfolk, said: 'This is the first time we have held an event of this kind in Diss and I hope that lots of people will take advantage of the experts who will be on hand to find out more.

'We have some excellent health and wellbeing services and support across the county and next week's event is another opportunity to showcase this and involve as many local residents as possible.'

Jenny Chamberlin, county councillor for Diss and Roydon, said: 'I'm delighted the health fair is coming to Diss.

'With over 20 different local organisations represented, there will be lots of activities for different age groups to get involved in and plenty of information to take away.'

The event is part of a project to provide new 'delivery hubs' across South Norfolk.

The idea is to provide a 'one door' approach and allow families to access help and advice in one place, rather than potentially be passed between different agencies.

The aim is that rather than speaking to several organisations, families will only have to seek help once.

South Norfolk Council (SNC) chief executive Sandra Dineen said the authority has been looking at new ways of delivering support to families to try and prevent them becoming dependent on public services.

SNC leader John Fuller has described the proposals as 'very exciting' and said: 'I have got a feeling that every council in England will be beating a path to our door if this works.'

What do you think of the families event? Write, giving your full contact details, to: Mercury Letters, 26 Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AD or email dma.news@archant.co.uk