A GLADIATOR inspired festival taking place in Bournemouth this September has been backed financially by BCP Council.

Contender Fest, a new three-day event combining fitness challenges and taster classes with food, entertainment, music and family fun, has been awarded a £30,000 grant.

The fledgling festival, which aims to bring thousands of people together to get active, successfully applied for a slice of £3million funding being provided for local business projects by the council’s Bounce Back Challenge Fund.

Festival founder Des Burke said: “I am delighted that Contender Fest is getting this incredible boost from the council, which will enable us to make it even bigger and better than I’d hoped when I first set out, funding it all from my own pocket.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see my vision coming to life. Not only will it be an amazing weekend of fun for local families, I’m also determined it will be the foundation of a real jewel in the crown for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, bringing people back to the area year after year.”

Councillor Philip Broadhead, BCP Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for the economy, said: “I’m really excited about the Contender Fest and am sure this will be a brilliant event for the whole community.

“With fun, fitness and food – what’s not to love?’’

For more information and tickets, visit: https://contenderfest.co.uk/.