AN AMBITIOUS Fitness Festival featuring bike stunts, a bungee run, bouncy castles and a climbing wall is being held in Stirling tomorrow.

Go Forth Stirling, which runs the city’s Business Improvement District (BID), is hosting the free family event on Saturday August 24 at venues across the city.

The Festival showcases more than 20 activities ranging from BMX and Skateboard Stunt displays by Team Extreme at Forthside to a Bungee Trampoline and Surf Simulator in the city centre.

It takes place from 12noon until 4pm and has been organised by local businessman Tony I’Anson – a member of the Go Forth Stirling team.

He said: “Part of the BID remit, as set out in the five-year business plan, is to organise events which encourage local people to come in and enjoy the city and attract visitors from further afield.

“This is the first year of hosting the Fitness Festival and we’ll be looking for visitor feedback afterwards so that we can make it even better for next year.

“The Festival is targeted at families and invites them to enjoy a fun day which promotes the benefits of active, healthy living and showcases Stirling as a destination of choice for leisure, retail and dining.”

Go Forth Stirling Manager Mags Fenner said: “This will be a free and entertaining day for the people of Stirling and its visitors and we’re looking forward to a great event.

“Families can enjoy some time together trying out all the different fitness activities and it’s also an opportunity for local businesses to show off the fantastic shops, cafes and restaurants Stirling has to offer.”

The popular Go Forth Landtrain will be on hand to take passengers between the centre of Stirling and Forthside where the high-octane displays from Team Extreme take place in front of the Engine Shed.

The entertaining professional riders will be performing their daredevil stunts and tricks on BMX bikes and skateboards at hourly intervals throughout the day.

There will also be a host of other exciting attractions at Forthside including two bouncy castles (one for adults and one for children), a giant inflatable slide, assault course and a Surf Simulator.

The Fitness Festival also covers the city centre in a bid to encourage people to explore the whole of Stirling.

There will be the chance to pull on Sumo Suits and enjoy some wrestling in Friars Street or head to Station Road for a Bungee Run and Trampoline.

In Murray Place, visitors can try out a Climbing Wall while staff from Active Stirling will be offering blood pressure checks, fitness testing and giving out health advice.

Further activities in the city centre include face-painting, a football shoot-out, Silent Disco, Giant Connect 4 and a Bucking Bronco.

And local businesses are also involved in the project offering festival-goers various food and drink offers on the day.

Details of all the activities, their locations plus a map are available on the dedicated Stirling Fitness Festival website - www.stirlingfitnessfestival.co.uk

There is also a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stirlingfitnessfestival

For more information about Stirling’s BID, which delivers projects and services aimed at improving the city’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors, visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk