Northamptonshire Teaching Primary Care Trust has come up with a plan to tackle a range of health issues including cutting the number of smokers and improving support and guidance for new mothers and their babies.

With obesity rates in Northamptonshire higher than the national average, health professionals are looking at new ways to encourage people to change their lifestyles.

Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust wants to reduce the average waist measurement of adults in a pilot town.

A final decision has not yet been made, but Corby could become the area acting as a pilot.

The aim is to trial obesity action plans in one part of the county and then across Northamptonshire.

Eight per cent of children aged from four to five and 16 per cent of 10 to 11-year-olds are obese. More than 24 per cent of people in the county are classed as obese.

Dawn Wintle, of Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust, said "If we don't put something in place to seriously address this, by 2050 we will not have a healthy population."

Corby is one of 12 towns being considered for funding so it can offer things such as free weight loss classes.

The bid to the Department of Health outlines a plan which would see everyone invited to a free health assessment and those who need help would be offered support.

Corby is through to the second phase but must be one of the final six if it is to be awarded £4m funding.

Dr Rachel Lewis, from Corby Active Partnerships, said: "It's a brilliant opportunity if we get this funding.

"I think we are through to the next round because they liked the idea that it is a whole town approach and we want to get everyone involved."

Health officials have been working with families on a 10-week course on nutrition, exercise and behaviour change.