THE 2013 Okehampton Sports and Fitness Festival is fast approaching, and with more than 40 different sports and activities, it promises to be the best one yet.

In its thirteenth year, the festival run by OCRA has a huge range of have-a-go sessions and competitions running from July 6 to July 14.

Working with local clubs, instructors and facilities, OCRA has come up with a diverse programme for children, young people and adults. Many of the activities on offer are completely free, or at special festival discount prices.

Stuart Lord from OCRA said: 'It is a thriving event which offers something for everybody and a chance to try something new through over 40 different have-a-go sessions and competitions.

'The festival is for children, young people, families and adults, and attracts individuals and teams from all over the South West.

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

The main day of activity is the Super Sporting Sunday in Simmons Park on Sunday, July 7. Taking place in Simmons Park, Parklands Leisure Centre and Okehampton College's sports pitches, the event always offers a huge range of sessions for people to come along to. This year, tennis, basketball skills and games, dance, badminton, bowls, putting, and water polo will be among some of the activities in the park on July 7.

The popular mixed hockey and mens' football tournaments make their return. For the very young, there are inflatables, art sessions and access to the park's exciting play equipment.

The Okehampton mayor will be in the park at 2.30pm to officially open Simmons Park as a park protected in celebration of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, having been given the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge Diamond Jubilee seal.

The day will also give people the chance to see the new sports pavilion in the park before it is fully kitted out and opened full time in September.

Throughout the week there is a massive range of sports on offer. Judo, badminton, fencing, pilates, netball, karate, golf, cricket, table tennis, squash, and swimming are just some of the activities on offer.

The mixed rounders competition makes its return to the festival with a competition on Thursday, July 11 on the sports fields of Okehampton College. Teams consist of nine adult players aged over 16, with five of one gender and four of the other. Food and drinks will be available, with the competition starting at 6.15pm. Cost is £12 per team, and each team must be registered by July 8.

This year the OCRA team has set up four challenges for people to test their fitness. On Tuesday, July 9 the new sports pavilion will host a bleep test for adults at 6.30pm. Everyone aged 12 and over can tackle a ten mile cycle time trial on the old A30 the same evening at 6.45pm. On Thursday, July 11, everyone over 12 can take on a one-mile run at the start of the Granite Way near Okehampton Station from 6.30pm. Throughout the week, swimmers can push themselves to swim between 25 metres and five kilometres at Parklands Leisure Centre.

For a full programme and more details, visit http://www.ocrasport.org.uk">www.ocrasport.org.uk or call 01837 54546.