THE number of Tendring people regularly taking part in active recreation has risen dramatically over the past two years.

Almost 20 per cent of Tendring’s adult population now exercise three times a week for more than 30 minutes.

This is the amount recommended by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

That compares to just 16.2 per cent in 2005-6 – a figure that left Tendring people labelled as amongst the laziest in the country.

The latest figure of 19.9 per cent takes Tendring from the very bottom of the 48 areas in the East of England to the 34th spot, according to the Sport England Active People Survey.

Pierre Oxley, Tendring Council’s leisure portfolio holder, said: “This latest Active People Survey is fantastic news for Tendring and it shows that if you provide people with the best facilities they will make use of them.”