A fresh drive has begun to promote sport and wellbeing in Fakenham.

Town councillor Richard Crook has taken on the new voluntary role of 'village sports co-ordinator' for Fakenham, following an approach from Active Norfolk.

Mr Crook is working to promote the town's many sports clubs and organisations and encouraging people to enjoy healthy lifestyles.

He is initially focusing on two main events but hopes to lay the seed for more activities to take place in future years.

Firstly Mr Crook is firstly looking to get teams from Fakenham together to compete against other Norfolk towns and villages in the Village Games in June.

He is then planning to organise a week-long celebration of sport in Fakenham highlighting the many activities local people and visitors can take part in throughout the year.

This is provisionally planned to be held in August.

Mr Crook is holding a public meeting at Fakenham Sports and Fitness Centre on Trap Lane on January 23 at 6.30pm where he wants to hear people's ideas about what could be done.

He said: 'I've been in touch with more than 50 groups and clubs in Fakenham about this. Fakenham has so much to offer and I think the town is sometimes under-valued and under-promoted.

'Getting the clubs working together and working with Active Norfolk will be of great benefit to them as Active Norfolk can fund coaching and help on the promotional side of things.

'The Village Games has been going for several years but to my knowledge Fakenham has never taken part. I think the town could put some good teams together and there would be a good competitive element.'

He added: 'I hope the celebration week will include traditional sports such as football, hockey, rugby, cricket and tennis, but also more alternative activities such as yoga, zumba, martial arts and even healthy eating. I hope people will come to the meeting with suggestions and help make things happen.

'I want to put a structure in place so people can take this on and for more sports and wellbeing related events to be held in Fakenham for many years to come. These events could have economic benefits to Fakenham as a spin off.

'I'm hoping the legacy of the Olympics will help to encourage interest and hope to see as many people as possible at this month's meeting.'

Anyone who would like more information or to attend the meeting should e mail Mr Crook at richard@crookdelyon.co.uk or call him on 07887 803091.