A NEW summer festival will launch in Four Marks next week, encouraging folk to live healthier lives and have fun at the same time.

Festiwell will be packed with activities to try, sports to play, healthy food to eat, and lots of ideas of ways to help you stay fitter for longer.

To take place from 11am to 4pm at Four Marks recreation ground on Sunday, July 9, the new event is being organised by East Hampshire District Council and Four Marks Parish Council.

For the already active, Alton Runners will be organising several fun runs, including a 10k, 4k, 1k, and 100m sprint. There will be outdoor gym equipment and a host of sports to try.

For those not ready to put on their running shoes there will be a Walk to Health group and a quiet tent for more mindful activities.

A sports taster zone will give people a chance to try something new, such as archery or bowls. The Rural Areas Play Project will provide fun and games for younger children while the older kids can get some basketball coaching from Get Activ8d.

Community groups such as the local horticultural and allotment societies and Men’s Shed will be on hand to offer advice, as will dental and other medical services.

Facilities such as the outdoor gym, play park and skate park will also be part of the day.

Food will play a big part in the event with many local producers showing the best way to prepare delicious and healthy meals.

District councillor Ingrid Thomas said: “There’s so much going on in this area to help people live happy and healthy lives and this festival will be the perfect opportunity to check out what’s on offer and to try it out for yourself.”

And Mrs Thomas added: “We can all do more to look after ourselves but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Festiwell will be full of all the fun things we can do to keep ourselves fit and healthy.”