More people in the City are being physically active – and now they are being encouraged to keep up the effort into 2013.

A Sport England survey has shown that the number of people in Gloucester being physically active has increased by nearly 8% from 32.4% to 40.4%.

The figures for the 12 months ending in October last year  show that Gloucester is the only district in the county to have a significant increase.

Councillor Colin Organ, cabinet member for housing, health and leisure, commented: “ This is great news and something we want to see continue. Obviously the Olympics will have played a part as they made a huge impact with people.

“ It is important from a health point of view that people increase their physical activity. We are keen to encourage that in any way we can.  We have now seen the opening of the new athletics track at Blackbridge and we are helping to promote a 10K road race around Gloucester in February.

“ The main charity for that is the British Heart Foundation and that is good to see as we are one of their ‘Heart Cities.’

He went on: “ There are lots of ways people can get fit. You don’t have to go to a gym. We have lots of countryside in Gloucester from our award winning Barnwood Arboretum to the open spaces of Robinswood Hill.

“But if you are looking for more organised activity then we have the most excellent facilities at the GL1 leisure centre and at Oxstalls tennis centre.

“ I would urge everyone who has taken to doing more activity to keep up the effort in 2013 and encourage everyone else to take the first steps to joining them.”