APPROXIMATELY 1,000 athletes will gather in next week for an annual celebration of traditional Lakeland sports.

From fell running to grass-track cycling and hound trailing to Cumbria and Westmorland wrestling, Ambleside Sports is a day-long event set to attract thousands of visitors.

The sports get underway at 12.05pm on Thursday (July 27) with the Blue Ribbon event, the Rydal Round, a nine-mile route of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Chairman of Ambleside Sports, Jak Hirst, said he was eagerly anticipating this year's event.

"For locals and visitors it's very much a great day out," he said. "It's very affordable and there's something for all the family.

"There's lots going on from 10am in the morning to six in the evening, it's a continuous programme.

"I particularly like the fact that it really is a true community event. All of the main organising committee are volunteers, and on the day itself we have people helping on the gates and the carpark and everything else."

One change for this year's sports is that founder of the Rydal Round, Pete Bland, has handed over organising the race which he has been doing since its inception in 1984.

This year, the duty has been passed to Carolyn Meneaud, the daughter of former Ambleside Sports committee member Gerry Meneaud, who died last year.

Mr Hirst added: "She's taking over that tradition but we will also be doing a few things to commemorate him this year.

"He was a keen fell runner, hound trailer and committee member and it's only right we remember him."

As part of the remembrance, a new trophy – the Gerry Meneaud Memorial Trophy – will be awarded to the day's top hound trailer.

Gates open at 10am at Rydal Park, with parking on site. Entry costs £6 for adults, £3 for 12-17 year olds, and under 12s go free if accompanied by an adult.

There is a £3 charge for each car.