I was disappointed to see the story regarding active lifestyles (The Argus, January 4) highlight Crawley as an area with unhealthy lifestyles.

Crawley has some of the best leisure facilities in the South East - with the highest satisfaction ratings in the country - and every week more people get into the healthy habit, especially at this time of year.

More than 3,000 people a day use state-of-the-art facilities such as K2, as well as the many parks and open spaces around the town.

Add to this five artificial grass pitches and there are even more opportunities for residents to exercise, be healthy and have fun.

Also, our younger generations have picked up the activity bug very quickly. Schoolchildren receiving at least two hours' PE each week has increased from 56 per cent in 2004-05 to 72 per cent in 2005-06 - a rise that has coincided with the opening of K2.

The council also operates an exercise referral scheme which has been successful in encouraging around 1,000 people into regular exercise.

As part of this programme, patients referred from their GP surgery or from the hospital participate in supervised exercise at one of the leisure centres, community centres or in the healthy walks programme in Tilgate Park and Buchan Park.

There is work to be done to increase residents' physical activity and we are making progress.

I believe we'll see Crawley move up these surveys over the next few years and become renowned for its excellent healthy living opportunities.

Councillor Beryl MeCrow
Executive member for leisure and cultural services
Crawley Borough Council