A group supporting men's health has been awarded £10,000 funding to hold exercise sessions.

The PSS Barnsley Men's Health Group, based primarily at Shaw Lane, supports people wanting to make healthy lifestyle choices such as losing weight and stopping smoking.

It applied to the Big Lottery for funding for sessions to support men with problems such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The sessions will include swimming, cycling, walking, crown green bowling, football and other sports.

Nick Gillott, senior trainer, said: "These sessions are running across the borough and are run in four week blocks. So if someone in Goldthorpe can't make it to Barnsley, the activities will come to them at some point."

There are different cycling and walking distances, and the money has paid for 12 new mountain bikes, which people can hire.

The group, which has its head office in Liverpool, is also looking at doing a sponsored cycle next year from Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, to Hornsea via Oakwell to raise money for the Barnsley men's health group.

Nick added: "Men who were previously inactive who exercise between their 50s and 60s are just as likely to live as long as those who have exercised all their lives.

"The sessions can help reduce things such as blood pressure or be part of a weight loss programme. It's not just the physical aspect, it's also promoting social wellbeing.

"While things like Movember are for a good cause, people we have spoken to were concerned they never got to see where the money went.

"We are wanting to keep the money in Barnsley - maybe it will pay for one of out footballing sessions for one year.

"That way, people can see what the money is being used for."

There is a small charge for some sessions, but this is used to buy equipment or to make particular sessions sustainable.

The sessions are listed on the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PSSBarnsleyMensHealthGroup.