THOUSANDS of people are expected to attend a family sports day in Hall Park, Horsforth on Sunday.

The Sport and Fun festival will see residents joining in a wide variety of sporting activities, with all entrants getting a free t-shirt, courtesy of sponsors The Mid-Yorkshire Nuffield Hospital.

Competitors can turn up and enter events on the day including the 10-mile run, cross country running, kwik cricket, skateboarding, cross country skiing, bowls, tug o'war and egg throwing - although the five-a-side football is already sold out.

Organiser Mark Saville, chairman of Horsforth Fellandale, said: "It promises to be one of the biggest family days out in Horsforth this year. Now we're just praying for good weather."

The first event starts at 1pm with cross country running and at 2.10pm the Hall Park skateboard park is opened, followed with a display and open competition.

Many events are free or have a nominal entry charge from 30p.

Also on the day will be a marquee devoted to health and fitness, with demonstrations on keeping fit and healthy. The community police will also have a display.

The event received a £5,000 National Lottery Millennium Fund grant and further sponsorship from Horsforth Town Council, Leeds Bradford Airport, Town Street Post Office, Pleasures Hair Design, Yorkshire Bank, Aramark plc and Horsforth Camera Centre.

Mr Saville added: "What would make it best of all is for thousands to turn up and have a really great afternoon out and this would make it all worthwhile for all the local clubs who have put in so much hard work to make it happen."

l Two teams have entered the tug o'war competition following an appeal in the Wharfedale Observer but more are needed and are urged to turn up on the day.

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