FAMILIES are urged to enjoy a range of activities – from bungee trampolines to Zumba dance lessons – when Britain’s Olympic cycling heroes takeover Colchester town centre.

Thrilling street-racing will return to Colchester for the fourth time on Thursday, May 30, as the Tour Series, Britain’s leading televised cycle race series, brings its unique team-based competition to north Essex.

The racing will begin at 5.30pm when the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series women’s race visits Colchester, before the likes of London 2012 gold medallist Steven Burke hit the track at 7pm.

But before the action-packed racing begins, people can enjoy a fantastic afternoon of free cycling and sport-themed activities at Castle Park from 12-5pm, which can be revealed today.

People can roll around in Land Zorbs on an inflatable track, defy gravity by going on the incredible bungee trampoline, and marvel at a range of novelty bikes.

The University of Essex’s Human Performance Unit will be challenging you to a 10-second Sprint Cycling Challenge – with prizes up for grabs for the best scores.

People seeking fun dancing lessons can head over to the Leisure World Hollytrees Lawn and experience a whole range of exclusive taster sessions, including street dance, Zumba, Bokwa, jazz, modern dancing and ballet.

Live music will keep others entertained throughout the afternoon at the Castle Park Bandstand, while Lower Castle Park will offer football, cricket, boxing and korfball skills sessions. BMX riders can enjoy activities with the Braintree BMX Club – and bikes and helmets will be provided. Food and drinks will be on sale all day.

Olympic champion Steven Burke, part of Team GB’s golden men’s team pursuit at the London Games, said people should expect another great evening of racing across the town centre.

He said: “It would be great to put on a brilliant show.

“More and more people come out every year to watch these town centre races and, building on from our success at the Olympics, I hope more people come and watch us and take up the sport.”

Over the course of the evening of fast-paced, action-packed racing, teams will be battling to place their top riders as high as possible in the finishing positions in order to gain maximum squad points.

Highlights of the race will be shown on ITV4.

Lyn Barton, Colchester Borough Council’s portfolio holder for renaissance, said: “Cycling not only improves health and wellbeing but provides a sustainable way to travel around the town.

“The free sports and cycling events in Castle Park are a great opportunity for families to get together and have a go at something they may not have tried before.”