A WEIGHT management programme based in Colchester has won a national award.

The Shape-Up programme has helped thousands of people across north east Essex become fitter and healthier.

Now it has won national recognition as the team running the scheme took the award for service/team of the year in the Nutrition and Health Live Awards at the ceremony in London.

The programme is an eight-week weight management course developed by the national charity Weight Concern to improve overall well-being and quality of life.

It is run by Colchester-based community healthcare provider Anglian Community Enterprise and is funded by Essex County Council.

Dr Laura McGowan, executive director of Weight Concern, who nominated the team for their work, said: “We are absolutely delighted.

“The team does an amazing job of running Shape-Up, reaching hundreds of adults a year, helping them improve their health and feel more in control of their eating and activity habits.

“They are definitely our best practice model and the judges said it was a clear winner from the outset.”

Chris Lawrence, health development co-ordinator at ACE, said: “We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award in competition with some major players in the healthcare scene.

“Shape-Up is not just another diet and it’s not just about losing weight.

“The programme has been devised by health professionals, psychologists and dieticians who have worked with overweight people.

“It uses psychological approaches to help people overcome barriers which can get in the way when you’re trying to change your eating habits and increase your physical ability.”

The programme is free to adults living in the Colchester and Tendring area with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or more.

Anyone interested in attending the Shape Up programme can contact the ACE Lifestyle Line on 0800 022 4524.