More than 80 people attended Wiltshire Council’s annual Walking Sports Festival at Devizes Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The event celebrated the success of the weekly walking sports sessions that have grown across Wiltshire.

Players from the walking football, netball and rugby groups met for a day of friendly fixtures, socialising and demonstrations.

Tony Norton, lead volunteer and walking footballer, said: “It was lovely to see so many faces from different sessions around Wiltshire coming together to play. Thank you to everyone who gave up their Sunday and joined in. It was a great day for all walking sports groups.”

Pat Clash, who runs weekly walking rugby sessions at Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, said: “The event was very well organized and a great day out.

“It was obvious to see that everyone who attended the festival was thoroughly enjoying themselves.

“The walking rugby demonstration was very well received. It was lovely for people from other walking sports to get involved. It showed the walking sport community is exceedingly strong in Wiltshire.

“Wiltshire Council has helped our club expand and we are very grateful for their support.”

The event was also attended by Cllr Chris Williams and Jerry Kunkler, the council’s portfolio holder for leisure and sport.

Cllr Kunkler said: “The festival was a great celebration of our walking sport programme.

“Walking sports are growing increasingly popular. More and more participants are seizing the chance to get involved in traditional sports, but at a slower pace.

“We thank all the participants of the festival for attending and making it an enjoyable day.

“It was a wonderful way to showcase the amazing strides we have made in promoting walking sport in Wiltshire.”

The event was hosted in partnership with Wiltshire County FA and England Netball.

Visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-returning-to-sport to see the full range of walking sport programmes.