It will take place in the grounds of Holy Trinity Junior School, on Church Lane, on Sunday, July 5, from 1pm with the first races starting at 2pm.

Organiser Helen Mackenzie, director of sport for Ripon schools, said: "This is an event for all the primary children from all the Ripon schools so please come along and support this community event which will be a fantastic day out."

under threat

The children's sports day, which was traditionally held on a Saturday at Camp Close field, has been under threat in recent years due to an insufficient number of organisers and last year's event had to be cancelled at the last minute due to a torrential downpour on the day.

But the organising committee is determined to secure the future of the sports day, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2010, and hopes the increased number of events taking place this year will attract bigger crowds in what promises to be an occasion for all the family.

new events

"This year, as part of the relaunch, we are also looking to introduce some new events such as a tug of war and wellie-throwing for children and adults so there really will be something for everyone," said Mrs Mackenzie.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will also be present and there will be an opportunity to try your hand at archery and have a go on a climbing wall.

There will also be a cake stall, hot and cold refreshments and lots of other fun activities are planned such as a bouncy castle, cheerleading, T'ai chi, face-painting and a penalty shoot-out.

All these attractions will be in addition to the running races, sprints and traditional activities such as the egg and spoon, sack race and a fun obstacle course which are all free to enter.

prizes

Medals and prizes will be presented to the top-three children in each race plus a trophy for overall champion girl and boy. Races will be divided into the following age categories for girls and boys: three and under, four and five-year-olds, six and seven, eight and nine, 10 and 11.

The sports day is run completely by volunteers and anyone wanting to help or donate prizes for a raffle on the day can contact Mrs Mackenzie on 07896 534539 for further details.

Anyone wanting to donate cakes to the cake stall can bring them along on the day or contact Mrs Mackenzie's mother, Sylvia Grice, on 01765 604112 to arrange collection before the event.