BLACKBURN with Darwen will be hosting its very own Olympic games this summer.

The re:fresh2012 festival, which will be launched on Friday will see more than 40 events taking place all around the borough throughout the summer.

The activities are being organised by local clubs and community groups in a bid to build on the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the London 2012 Olympic games.

Events will include everything from a Darwen Rangers football tournament for youngsters to a dad’s Olympics at Little Harwood Children’s Centre.

On July 20, Blackburn will welcome the Linford Christie’s Street Athletics scheme to the town, which will see King William Street turned into a race track to encourage young people to give athletics a go.

From August 6-8, Blackburn Harriers will also host a multi sports StarTrack event at Witton Park.

The club, which has produced three Olympic hopefuls, is inviting 8-15 year olds along to develop their skills.

Executive member for leisure and culture, Coun Damian Talbot, said: “This is our opportunity to make the most of the enthusiasm around sport that the 2012 Olympics is generating.

“People all over the borough are joining clubs or doing sport and exercise.

“And we want to celebrate that and encourage even more people to get involved.”

Last year attendance at the borough’s leisure clubs was up by more than 13,000.

And more than 10,000 new people applied for a beeZ card, which allowst hem to enjoy free leisure facilities.

Chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen clinical commissioning group, Dr Chris Clayton, said: “Boosting levels of activity brings with it a huge amount of health benefits and can prevent anything from heart disease to diabetes.

"Not only that but getting out and making friends and socialising can do wonders for someone’s mental health and general wellbeing.”