Wirral’s leisure centres will host free events to welcome home Team GB from the Rio Olympics and encourage more participation in sports and exercise.

Next Saturday, August 27, the nation will celebrate "I Am Team GB" - a campaign to get more people out and about and active in their communities.

Councillor Ann McLachlan, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: ‘We have fantastic sports facilities which sit right at the heart of many of our communities - so it makes sense to open them up for this special event to welcome home Team GB.

"Our 'Active Wirral' campaign is all about encouraging everyone from young families to older people to get out and about and get active, whether that’s by playing a sport or just going for a brisk walk."

At The Oval, Wirral Athletics Club will host an outdoor open day on the famous running track between 10am and 1pm with UK Athletics-qualified coaches on hand to support people to try the long jump, high jump, javelin, shot put, hurdles and running.

Other free activities on offer across the borough include:

• Free footgolf at The Warren golf course between 3.30pm and 5pm. Book through the footgolf webpages or by calling 0800 689 9552.

• Woodchurch Leisure Centre will open for free family swimming from 10am to 2pm.

• Leasowe Leisure Centre will offer free court hire in the sports hall and squash courts between noon and 4pm. Call the booking hotline on 0151 606 2010 or visit the centre to book your slot.

• Guinea Gap Leisure Centre is offering free outdoor 3G football from 10am to 2pm. Pre-booking is advised but there may be slots available on the day. Call the booking hotline on 0151 606 2010 or visit the centre to book.

HOMECOMING PARADE:

Manchester is to stage a homecoming parade for Britain's triumphant Olympic and Paralympic stars, with a further national event to be held in London to mark their success, Theresa May has announced.

The Prime Minister said that both events would take place in October after the Paralympians have returned from the games in Rio.

Wirral Globe:

Great Britain's Mo Farah celebrates winning the Men's 10,000m Final in Rio

"It will be a celebration fit for heroes - and rightly so, because that is exactly what they are," Mrs May said.

The decision to stage the main parade in Manchester follows calls for it to be held outside the capital to reflect the contribution made by athletes from across the UK.

Previously, Britain's Olympians and Paralympians paraded through the streets of London after the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games.