HEROIC round-the-world yachtswoman Dee Caffari is backing a new initiative in Southampton to get everyone active for at least half an hour every day.

The Active Southampton programme has been drawn up to address the growing obesity problem in the city and everyone from the city council, Southampton Primary Care Trust, Southampton football club, both universities and local colleges are getting involved.

Sadly Dee will not be at tomorrow's launch at St Mary's Stadium because she is in New Zealand collecting her new boat but she has recorded a special message for the occasion.

The woman who sailed single-handed the wrong way round the globe and landed herself into the record books, knows how important exercise can be.

"Although you may not think it, I have to make the effort to incorporate sport and physical activity in to my own weekly schedule to ensure I am fit enough to meet the challenges of the races I currently compete in," she said.

"I saw so many people from South-ampton out on the Common last year when I ran the Race for Life in the City, and I know what a positive impact getting involved in events like the Race for Life can have on people's overall well being."

She admitted she was delighted to have been chosen to promote Active Southampton because it is a cause close to her heart.

I'm delighted to have been recognised as a sporting ambassador for Active Southampton. I wanted to give my support and best wishes for the launch of the partnership and the very important campaign to increase awareness about sport and physical activity in the City.

"I know from personal experience that Southampton benefits from some terrific places to get active, whether it is on the water, out on the Common and our other open spaces, or in one of the city's leisure centres.

Sport and strategy manager Kieran Humphrey explained the drive to get people in Southampton more active is a major health message for the city.

"We want to increase adult participation in sport and physical activity, enhance young people's participation as well as develop community sport and physical activity, and widen access to facilities and opportunities to participate," he said.

Active Southampton aims to address major health issues in the city including: l A higher than average death rate from smoking, heart disease and strokes.

l Higher than average rates of adults who feel in poor health or suffer from stress-related illnesses.

l Increases in childhood obesity which is in line with the averages elsewhere in England.

l People who are aged over 55 or have a limiting disability are significantly less likely to lead a physically active lifestyle.

l Evidence suggests that engaging young people in sport and physical activity assists in reducing antisocial behaviour, and provides a setting for community and personal development.

l Active Southampton complements work in Southampton to maximise the benefits of London's hosting of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Active Southampton will ensure that its priorities reflect and build upon those set through the 2012 Olympics Business Plan. And they already have a clear picture of where in the city needs to get more active.

For the first time the Sport England's Active People Survey provides a detailed picture on local participation rates.

At the moment only 21.4 per cent of adults in Southampton currently report achieving the 3 x 30 minute benchmark.

Active People has identified sluggish areas of the city, particularly in the Woolston, Bitterne and Redbridge wards, where you are far less likely to be exercising.

"This is a great opportunity for everyone to make the effort to exercise more and we are actively helping them to achieve their goal," said Kieran.