Three 30 minute walks a week can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, scientists have stated.

The UK scientists, led by Dr Mark Tully at Queen's University in Belfast, split 106 participants – all civil servants – into three groups.

One of the groups went for a half-hour walk three times a week, one did this three times a week and the third group did no walking at all.

After just seven days the differences were already apparent, with both of the active groups showing reductions and waist and hip circumference.

The conclusions, which have been published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health follow on from the Chief Medical Officer's recommendations that adults take part in moderately intense exercise five times a week.

Dr Tully said: "The results may encourage people who feel they do not have time to exercise on five days each week."

Earlier this month, a study by US researchers found that having a high waist-to-hip ratio is a better indication of being at risk of heart disease than weight alone.

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