THE town’s first ever virtual Olympic-style games for senior citizens next month

Swindon Sports Forum, along with the council and Wiltshire and Swindon Sport had hoped to put on a Senior Games for six care homes. The coronavirus pandemic means events will have to be conducted separately at each home.

While the emphasis is on fun and taking part, there will be medals and trophies for the best performance.

Each care home will record the six best performances during four events – javelin, using a foam version, golf putting, tin can alley and target mat.

The events will be judged by the sports forum’s co-ordinator Chris Baker

The forum’s chairman Ian Jankinson said: “We have invited six Swindon care homes to take part and they all are extremely enthusiastic about the forthcoming event. Despite the lockdown we can inject a little bit of fun into the care home environment.”

Prince Rupert Court in Freshbrook, Hurst House in Pinetree Rise, Kings Court off Kings Hill, Lansdown Hill in Wroughton, Park View in Blunsdon and Ridgeway Rise in St Andrew’s Ridge will be receiving activity packs with all the equipment they need and events will be held from October 8 to 11.