An Aspatria factory is leading the way in a new push to make Cumbrian employees happier and healthier.

The Sealy plant in Aspatria, which manufactures beds, is among the first wave of businesses in the county to sign up to the Better Health at Work programme.

Set up by the TUC union, the aim is to encourage employers to focus on the health of their staff, in turn giving them a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.

In turn it is hoped they take new habits back home, encouraging their families to adopt healthier lifestyles and ultimately seeing better health spread across the wider community.

The scheme has already had huge success in the North East, and Ken Gyles, health and well-being support officer at the TUC, was keen to see it rolled out in Cumbria.

After securing funding from Cumbria County Council's public health budget, that is now under way.

Ken had already been working with Sealy on a project to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace, and had trained staff up as mental health first aiders.

The Better Health at Work awards is an extension of that scheme.

Representatives from all parts of the business are trained as advocates, who promote healthy lifestyles to their colleagues and encourage the company to make healthy changes.

In order to gain accreditation, via bronze, silver and gold awards, employers have to show what has changed and how it has had an impact.

Chris Tweddle, manufacturing manager, said: "We are starting with small steps. Nobody is saying you should be running five miles a day. It's about making small changes. And it's not just about work. It's about people's every day lives and their families."

Claire McGregor, human resources manager, added: "The first thing we have done is launch a health needs assessment - a questionnaire that has gone out to the whole workforce asking what they would like to improve and how we can help."

Ideas to date include a hydration campaign, a pedometer step challenge, discounted gym memberships, a workforce weight loss challenge and action to improve healthy options in the canteen.

Those leading the projects include factory workers Carl Lock and Andrew Goodger, who are among Sealy's health advocates.

Carl said: "It's really just about talking to people and making them aware of little changes they can make. We are just starting out but one example, there was a guy who liked a fry up every morning. We got talking and he now has them three times a week."

Sealy is among 10 employers signed up, and Ken hopes to see that expanding across the county in the coming months.

Ken said: "It's a free award. It's really them signing up to a commitment to embed health and well-being in the workplace over the next four to five years.

"It shows that the employer looks after and engages with its workforce."

For more information email Ken at KGyles@tuc.org.uk