Steve Cardownie: Good health does not have to be bad on the wallet

YOU don't have to spend lots of money in order to live more healthily. Thanks to this month's Festival of Sport, which is launched on Monday, a host of free activities will mean that you can still keep fit without damaging the bank balance.

With an estimated two-thirds of adults failing to get the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day, making even small changes can make a big difference to health.

The Festival of Sport is bigger and better than ever, with 275 events across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including taster sessions, demonstrations and competitions to encourage people of all ages and abilities to discover the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Activities on offer include tennis, swimming, walks, basketball and golf. There is also korfball, canoeing, water polo, gym sessions for older people, a "defy gravity" workout, and a foam fencing match day.

There are also many other large group and spectator events running in the festival, such as the MoonWalk, Race for Life, the Cycling Grand Prix and the uniquely action-packed Roller Girls Derby.

The festival, now in its third year, showcases the variety of opportunities to get active through the city's sports clubs and facilities.

The key partners in delivering the event include the six local authorities across the east of Scotland, Edinburgh Leisure, ClubSportEdinburgh and sportscotland.

The full programme of events is available at www.activcity. info, or at any library, with daily updates throughout the festival also available on www.facebook.com/activcity.info.

So, with cost not being a factor and something to suit even the least fit, the Festival of Sport is the perfect reason to get off the couch and to try something new.

• Councillor Steve Cardownie is festival and events champion for Edinburgh City Council