Natural England has joined in the battle to ease the UK's obesity burden by launching a new manifesto, titled Natural Health Service.

The manifesto outlines a number of initiatives planned by the government body in order to get more Britons active. The document also calls for a step-change in the way people are given access to green spaces and the ways in which outdoor activity programmes are supported by GPs.

The two main goals set out in the manifesto are to increase the number of households that are within five minutes' walk of an area of green space - covering at least two hectares - and to make sure every general practitioner (GP) or community nurse is able to refer patients to an approved health walk or outdoor activity programme.

Poul Christensen, chair of Natural England, said; "The Natural Health Service programme highlights that providing easy access to green space is one of the most important cost effective health initiatives we can make."

Natural England will also expand its Walking the Way to Health scheme and has increased its target to involve 200,000 people in the initiative.

Natural England is already the largest national body promoting led health walks, supporting more than 520 local health walk schemes. According to Natural England figures, more than 2,000 walks take place every week while around 37,000 people have been trained as volunteer walk leaders.

Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron, said: "Walking is a great way to get physically active - it's fun, it's free and it's accessible to young and old alike, all across the country.

"I'm thrilled that Natural England's Walking for Health scheme will be working with the Government's Change4Life campaign to expand the scheme and get more people walking, more often."