WOMEN enjoyed a day full of fitness fun at a festival celebrating the active life.

The Women Like Us festival was held at the Jobserve Community Stadium in Colchester and women had the chance to try 11 different activities including Tai Chi, yoga and carnival fitness.

The taster sessions encouraged women to try something new and take their first steps to becoming more active in a fun atmosphere.

Some of the most popular sessions included Miss Fits led by This Girl Can Essex ambassador Becky Scott and Shake That led by fellow ambassador Holly Martin.

There was also an information area where participants could have health checks.

The event was supported by the Essex University volunteer team.

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Festival goer Tania Stacey, from Colchester, said: “It is so important for these events to take place. I exercise to feel good.

“If you’re feeling down, exercise is great to make you feel better about yourself.

“The festival is so empowering for women and you can see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”

Lucy Taylor, an ambassador and instructor of Clubbercise, Zumba and Rave Tone, said: “I used to be the girl at the back of the class, too self-conscious.

“I now teach in the dark to help the ladies with their confidence.

“The Women Like Us festivals are inspiring people to get involved in physical activity because movement makes you feel so much better.”

There are now more than 270 This Girl Can Essex ambassadors across the county who inspire women to get active.

The ambassador programme is run by Active Essex and is part of an ambition to change a million lives by getting Essex active.

Hayley Chapman, Active Essex relationship manager for North Essex, said: “It was great to see so many ladies participate in so many different activities at the festival.

“The latest This Girl Can campaign Fit Got Real, reflects how hard it can be to fit in physical activity in your busy day.

“The taster sessions at the festival highlighted how much you can get out of a short session and the activities that are taking place in the community.”

For more information visit www.activeessex.org.