A FREE challenge encouraging people to get more active is set to start next month.

Wiltshire’s Big Pledge is back for 2017 and this year the challenge is celebrating the World Athletics Championships coming to London for the first time this summer.

It involves a series of challenges to help encourage individuals and teams of all ages and abilities to get active, get out and have fun.

The challenge starts on June 5 and runs until July 30, but sign ups are already being accepted.

The aim of the challenge is to ‘collect’ all 30 countries taking part in this summer’s championships by swimming, running, walking and cycling, and is suitable for any fitness ability.

Carolyn Godfrey, Wiltshire Council corporate director said: “We’ve seen over the years that Big Pledge has made a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the people of all ages who participate. We hope this year’s campaign is no different and we want to see as many people as possible have a go and see what they can achieve.

"The health benefits will be fantastic but it’s always a lot of fun too. We wish everyone the best of luck.”

Alison Marron from B-fit Bootcamp, said: “All the members of our B-Fit Bootcamp sessions in Tidworth and Bulford signed up as a team in 2016.

"The challenge really built team spirit amongst the women and we had a fantastic time. We also organised a weekend to walk up Ben Nevis and Scafell to complete our challenge.

"We are really looking forward to taking part again as a team. We are also pleased that a Beginners Challenge has been added this year, as this will be a fantastic opportunity for our newest members who have not been active before to get involved.”

More than 18,000 people across the county took part in last year’s challenge, which saw those participating taking a virtual trip to Rio to mark the Olympic games.

To sign up to this year’s challenge visit wiltshire.gov.uk/bigpledge. Anyone taking part can share their progress using #BigPledge.