A £4.5 million bid to make Dudley one of the country’s first official “healthy towns” to combat growing obesity-related problems is now in the hands of the Government.

Dudley Primary Care Trust and Dudley Council have submitted their proposals and are competing with 22 other towns for the cash, it emerged today. They will find out by the end of next month if their application has been successful.

They will use the funding from the Healthy Community Challenge Fund to set up family health hubs around the borough and encourage more people to walk and cycle.

The Government initiative is aimed at helping more people to choose an active lifestyle and only a small number of towns will receive the funding.

Under the scheme, health hubs offering a range of activities would be set up at parks, schools, nature reserves and play areas around Dudley. Walks, family cycle clubs and cycle trails, healthy picnics and parties, health advice and sports sessions are included in the plans.

Director of public healt Valerie Little said: “The Let’s Go Outside bid encourages people to lead healthy lifestyles. If successful, the funding would help us improve people’s health by encouraging them to use outdoor facilities and take part in a range of activities.”

If successful the funding would add to more than £15 million already secured for projects across the borough aimed at encouraging people to lead a healthier lifestyle. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for the environment and culture, said: “The proposals are exciting as they would involve physical changes to the environment, which would help encourage people to use our parks and open spaces for the right reasons.

Recent figures revealed there are 17,000 youngsters in Dudley registered as overweight or obese.