FITNESS fans flocked to Bournemouth for the town's newest festival this weekend.

FitLiving UK, organised by LineUp Media, is the UK's first fitness festival at the beach.

Around 7,000 people attended the event. 

As well as a stunning beachside location, the event was also based at the BIC.

The lifestyle show was open to everyone, whatever their fitness level.

And there was also a yoga stage and main stage at the beach.

X Factor star Chico Slimani led his dance, combat, HIIT and yoga-inspired fitness class, Blockfit, on the main stage on Saturday morning.

The class was one of over 50 taking place over the weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing judge and former ballerina Darcey Bussell brought her Diverse Dance Mix (DDMIX) fitness programme to a sold-out class.

"It's probably the most diverse dance fitness programme out there," she told the Daily Echo.

"It's a flavour from nearly every style around the world and every era - African, Bollywood, flamenco, 1950s rock 'n' roll - everything. We've even got Scottish and Irish. We keep it very simple so it's very inclusive.

"We've been doing it for about three years, and I'm not bored of it. It has to be entertaining, exercise doesn't have to feel like exercise."

She said it was the first time she had led a class at the beach. 

"It's a great atmosphere," she said.

And when asked about the return of Strictly to the nation's screens she said: "It's incredibly exciting. This is my sixth year and every year I'm always slightly shocked that it can be even more buzzy than it was the year before, and we had an amazing year last year. 

"It will be interesting if the standard reaches the same height. It's all about the personalities."

Special appearances were also made by Good Morning Britain's Richard Callender, London Paleo Girl, and Lindsay Jay.

Other highlights included a beach bar serving skinny prosecco, mocktails and cocktails and a healthy festival food including Greek salads, hot chicken, Caribbean stews and more.

There was also a shopping village in the BIC with 100 stalls, as well as seminars. 

Gemma Harris, Lineup Media managing director, said: "We are so proud to bring the south coast's first fitness festival to Bournemouth.

“On Saturday, the weather was glorious and all but one of the 80 classes available ran both on Bournemouth beach and in the BIC. On Sunday strong winds and rain meant we had to move some of the main stage acts into the yoga tent, but, happily, the rain held off for Darcey Bussell who performed her popular DDMIX class on Bournemouth Beach.”