Crawley Borough Council has organised a series of health and wellbeing events for staff, in a bid to reduce stress among its workers.

A council spokesman said: "We are organising a month of events in September for staff to take part in, giving hints and tips on healthier lifestyles, and offering activities that will help with fitness and wellbeing.

"Events include a 'fat club' to help staff lose weight, football matches, nutritional information sessions, tai chi, dance, yoga and pilates classes at lunchtimes, guided healthy walks, a fruit day, salad day and soup day in the staff canteen and massage session."

The council is also allowing its 800 staff to take time off work to help a local volunteering service like dog walking or visiting the sick or elderly.

And head of human resources Sarah Barnes reckons it's about preventing stress and ill health before it hits.

She said: "Employee wellbeing is not just about people being off sick. It's about preventative stuff."