It's a new year, time for a fresh start -- and a new campaign could help Thanet residents not only stick to those 2010 resolutions but win a pair of top of the range trainers to boot.

Walk to Win, which is funded by the NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent and run by Kent County Council (KCC's) Explore Kent countryside access service, was launched by kmfm breakfast presenter Johnny Lewis on Monday (January 4).

It aims to encourage people living in Thanet to exercise more through walking.

Nick Chard, cabinet member for environment, highways and waste at KCC, said: "Walking is a fantastic way to improve your health and well-being.

"Thanet has some of the most beautiful coast and countryside in the county. You can explore this or walk to the park, the shops, or school.

"There are tremendous benefits to walking more. It can help you feel great and look good and you can have fun at the same time."

To kick start the Walk to Win campaign, local people can enter a free monthly prize draw to win £250 worth of vouchers to spend on trainers or walking equipment for themselves or up to five family or friends, simply by signing up for information about walking from Explore Kent.

To enter, call 08458 247600 (8am-8pm, Monday-Friday) or visit the Explore Kent website at www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent, which also contains information about how to plan your walk, an interactive map to plot out routes and details about guided walks.

Alternatively, text explorekent (space) followed by your house number and postcode to 07950 080802.

Entries must be received by March 31 and are restricted to one per person. Prize draws take place on February 3, March 3 and April 5. Entrants must live within the Thanet area (postcodes starting CT7-CT12 inclusive).

For full terms and conditions, visit bit.ly/6tXwTS.

DID YOU KNOW?

A gentle walk thorough a country park can burn around 200 calories per hour.

Why not also take your family along? Playing with your children while out on a walk can burn up to 300 calories per hour.

Exercise can help you lose weight but it can also dramatically reduce your chances of suffering from some of the UK's biggest diseases, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer of the colon.

Exercise can also help with sleeplessness, which in turn will help you feel more alert during the day.

Left: A frosty day in Northdown Park, Cliftonville. Picture by Paul Amos.