THE 2012 Okehampton Sports and Fitness Festival is fast approaching, offering more than 40 different sports and activities.

In its 12th year, the festival run by OCRA has a range of have-a-go sessions and competitions from June 30 to July 8.

Stuart Lord from OCRA said: 'Last year the Okehampton Sports and Fitness Festival attracted over 2,000 people, participating in 40 different sports and activities. We anticipate that this year's event will be even bigger to celebrate the 2012 Olympics.

'It is a thriving event which offers something for everybody.

'It really shows Okehampton and the surrounding areas as a great place to live, work, play and visit.'

The festival kicks off on June 30 with a prestigious event coming to Okehampton for the first time — the Devon Games to Inspire. A free event for young people from across the county, the festival-like extravaganza will bring more than 1,200 youngsters aged 8 to 16 from across Devon to compete and win points for their region.

Sports available include athletics, badminton, hockey, netball, skateboarding and BMX, table tennis and volleyball.

As well as the events for youngsters, there will be plenty of sports events laid on for the community at the Games to Inspire. Arsenal Football Club will hold a workshop with a penalty-kick speed gun, while Hockey Nation will have an inflatable hockey pitch. Other sports on offer include squash, ultimate frisbee, fly-fishing and a wind-surfing simulator.

The skating, scooter and bike jam also makes a return on June 30 when BMX and skate enthusiasts can show off their skills at Okehampton Skate Park.

Throughout the week there is a massive range of sport on offer, including many of the sports at the London 2012 Olympics. Fencing, judo, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics, water polo, and archery are just some on offer alongside perennial favourites like the popular rounders tournament on Thursday, July 5.

Fans of fitness disciplines can enjoy sessions in pilates, zumba and dancercise. Parklands Leisure Centre is running free personal training sessions on July 3 and July 4, while the Phoenix Health Club is running free workout sessions all week and free personal training sessions on Wednesday, July 4.

Roadford Watersports Centre is hosting sessions for windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and surf skiing at the reservoir on Tuesday, July 3. These needs to be booked directly through the centre on 01409 221507.

Anyone with learning or physical disabilities can enjoy a wide variety of activities throughout the week, including table tennis, aerobics, and Paralympic sport boccia, a precision sport similar to bowls.

School children from across the area will also enjoy a week of sport thanks to the 'Primary School Olympics', where all eleven primary schools of the Okehampton Learning Community will unite to celebrate sport with a week of sport, art, Paralympic awareness sessions, team building and music.

The week culminates on July 8 with the Super Sporting Sunday at Okehampton College and Simmons Park.

Those with a competitive streak can test themselves in the hockey, five-a-side football and putting competitions, or take part in the Moor than 10K Run.

Other activities on the finale day include badminton, tennis, swimming, art and sports demonstrations.

Full programmes detailing the week's events are available from Martins, Donald's Menswear, Red Lion Bazaar and Okehampton Library.

You can also download a full programme and find out more information at http://www.ocrasport.org.uk">www.ocrasport.org.uk or call 01837 54546. Some events need to be booked in advance.