An outdoor conservation project has proved a lifeline for an unemployed man suffering from depression.

Nic (not his real name) took part in a study commissioned by East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).

Nic lost his job in 1996 due to depression and had been unable to find a full-time job.

His self-esteem and confidence had reached an all-time low when he was referred to the project.

The scheme, held at the BTCV Green Gym project in Portslade, helps people keep fit through environmental and conservation work.

A group of people suffering from mental health problems such as depression, including Nic, were referred to the gym by their GPs.

Nic said: "I thought it would be something I would enjoy but I wasn't sure. I had always enjoyed working outdoors and, although my physical health had always been fair, I knew I could be fitter.

"When I went out with the group I felt really good and I enjoyed being with people who were very pleasant. I started really looking forward to the next time I went out. It sustained me through the week."

Nic says the gym helped him regain the confidence to return to employment and he now has a job.

Veronica Reynolds, who carried out the study, said: "Depression is one of the greatest burdens on the health service, with one in four people in the UK experiencing some level of mental health problem in the course of their lives.

"This study suggests there is scope for extending this scheme to individuals with mental health problems as a way of alleviating depression and the Green Gym has a clear role to play in mental as well as physical health promotion."

The study showed there was an improvement in the patients' depression levels after they spent time at the gym.

More than a third of those taking part were unemployed and several gained enough confidence through their involvement with the project to move back into paid employment.

Previous studies have found exercise can improve depression but many people shy away from the traditional gym environment or drop out of exercise programmes after a few weeks.

People taking part in the Green Gym reported the work and the social aspects of the scheme kept them motivated but the biggest incentive was to be out in the open air.