ADOPTING a healthy lifestyle can be fun, according to the organisers of Worcestershire Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) annual health fair held yesterday at Kidderminster Town Hall.

Visitors were able to test their fitness levels and tennis skills on a Nintendo Wii and also pick up some fresh fruit from a human strawberry or banana.

They could also find out how clean their hands were in an interactive infection control area, get advice on quitting smoking, access information on healthier lifestyles and much more with more than 30 stalls operating at the event.

Simon Trickett, head of communications and community engagement at Worcestershire PCT, said the fair had attracted more than 400 people and was an improvement on last year.

He added that the Nintendo Wii fitness challenge had been particularly popular and that an 80-year-old woman had achieved a fitness score for a woman nearly 20 years younger.

He said: “It has gone very well. We are really pleased with the number of stall holders and, more importantly, very happy with the number of people who have turned up.”

Paul Bates, chief executive of Worcestershire PCT, added: “The aim of the fair is to engage with the public and help give them better information about their health services.

“It is especially important to give them guidance and support in changing their lifestyles so they can enjoy a healthier, higher quality life.”

He added: “I think we have proved with the fair that adopting a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be a miserable experience but can be real fun and lead to a much better sense of wellbeing.”

Amanda Moore, matron at Kidderminster Hospital, volunteered in a stall representing Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, supporting the campaign for Foundation Trust status.

She said: “We have had a good response and it is important to talk to local people and tell them how important their views are of the services we provide.”

Gail Preece, secretary of the PCT’s infection control scheme, explained how she used a “glow and tell machine” to show people the areas they missed when washing their hands.

She said: “People were absolutely shocked and terrified. They think they wash their hands thoroughly but they don’t use enough pressure.

“I have been thrilled with the reaction. People have gone away determined to improve their hand hygiene.”

Patrick Patiluko, 23, of Worcester, handed out fresh fruit and flyers dressed as a human strawberry.

He said: “It has been fun. I have had a lot of comments that I look good in my strawberry outfit and people have been taking plenty of fruit.”