TO celebrate Men’s Health Week, Trim Down Shape Up have partnered with Leigh Centurions and Wigan Warriors to encourage their clients to take part in more physical activity.

Trim Down Shape up is a Wigan Council free fitness and health service for men in Leigh, Ashton and Wigan.

Men will be representing their respected areas in a Wigan Vs Leigh 7 v 7 touch rugby match on June 21.

The match will take place at Leigh Sports Village as a warm up before Leigh Centurions big game against Sheffield Eagles at 3pm.

At half time The Trim Down Shape Up men will also be invited onto the to take part in a ‘kick conversion’ competition to see how many goal kicks they can manage.

Leigh Centurions Mickey Higham will be attending a Trim Down Shape Up session next week to carry out a rugby skills training session in the hopes of giving Leigh the edge in the game.

Currently, only 50.9% of adults in Leigh and Wigan are physically active in comparison to the England average of 56%.

WBCCG comment on Men's Health Week 2015 Dr Tim Dalton, local GP and Chair of NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group said:“Statistically, men lead a less healthy lifestyle than women because men are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol to hazardous levels and be overweight.

"Over the years these factors can lead to developing serious illnesses such as cancer, heart diseases and strokes, the risk of which can all be significantly reduced by leading a more healthy life.

"Men also have a lower life expectancy than women which is largely due to these factors.

"So Men's Health Week gives all men the opportunity to consider looking after their relationships and wellbeing and making sensible changes such as not smoking; drinking sensibly, being more active and maintaining a healthy weight.

"Your local GP Practice can help you achieve all these goals so please consider making an appointment soon”.

Trish Anderson, Chief Officer at NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Men can always get free help and advice from the Lose Weight Feel Great weight loss service provided on behalf of Wigan Council by calling 01942 496496.

"If you're in the 40-74 age group and without a pre-existing condition, it also makes sense for men to turn up to their free NHS Health Check when invited because this can help spot the early signs of a range of illnesses”.

Chief Medical Office (CMO) guidelines state that people should be aiming to take part in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

With those figures in mind Trim Down Shape Up are helping more men in the area to reach this target through their stimulating exercise sessions.

Playing on behalf of the Leigh team is 31 year old Graham Baines who joined Trim Down Shape Up late last year. He said:“I’m really looking forward to learning some new tricks from Mickey Higham.

"I coach rugby to kids in my spare time so I’m hoping I can learn something new and improve on my own rugby skills.

"Of course, I’m most excited about the big game against the lads from Wigan.

"We are all working hard in the sessions to improve our fitness so I’m hoping we might have the edge over Wigan. "May the best team win.”