THOUSANDS of people have been enjoying the striking display of sports and leisure activities and equipment at the Chequers Centre this week.

The Maidstone shopping centre is this week playing host to the KM Town Centre Management Sport and Leisure Exhibition, which began on Monday and will run until Sunday (May 25).

More than 50 Kent sports or leisure organisations and groups are involved with the exhibition which includes a display of equipment from and information on a wide variety of activities including fishing, car racing, quad biking, paragliding, scuba diving and martial arts.

Visitors who enjoy golfing are being invited to try their hand at putting as part of a practical exhibit in the centre.

And there is even a full-size hovercraft on display for those interested in the more high-energy sporting activities.

Sheila Sainsbury at Theme Events, who organised the event, said: "There is basically something sporty there for all ages. If you are looking for adventure or looking for something more sedate then the displays cater for it.

"I think it will have been a popular event so far as even youngsters will be interested in things like the skateboarding displays."