HEALTHY ideas are being sought from Halton residents to help improve the well-being of everyone in the community.

The Choosing Health consultation is asking people in Runcorn and Widnes how it could be made easier to take up a healthier lifestyle.

The debate, started up by health secretary John Reid, is being lead locally by Halton's Primary Care Trust, which is particularly interested in finding out the following:

What can you do to lead a healthy lifestyle?

What stops people from doing this?

What should local services, such as the NHS, local authorities, voluntary organisations and businesses, do to support healthy lifestyle choices?

What should the Government do - should there be more legislation, or does it already have the balance right?

Dr Daniel Seddon, Halton's director of public health, said: 'No longer is the NHS alone seen as the answer to dealing with people's health needs. All of us have a role to play in helping to improve the health of the population.

'It is important everyone makes their voice heard - because every-one's future is at stake.

'The views of Halton people will contribute to the development of a Government White Paper on public health this summer, which will help to shape future Government policy.'

Anyone interested in taking part can log on to www.dh.gov.uk/consultations/liveconsultations, or e-mail choosinghealth@halton-pct.nhs.uk. If you do not have a computer, free internet access is available in Halton's libraries. Alternatively, write to: Halton PCT, Lister Road, Astmoor Estate West, Runcorn WA7 0NL.