Dozens of eager people over 45 turned out at Gainsborough Sports Centre to mark the start of the Winter Olympics with their very own boccia and kurling competitions.

Ipswich Star: ActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

ActivIpswich lays on sports and activities for those aged 45 and above in the town, with the aim of getting people into regular exercise in a relaxed and social environment.

Ipswich Star: ActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

To mark the Winter Olympics launch, the project held competitions in boccia and new age kurling – a variation of the winter sport for non-ice surfaces.

Ipswich Star: ActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

More than 50 people of all abilities turned out to mark the occasion, with medals awarded at the end of the event.

Ipswich Star: ActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNActivLives have kicked off their own winter olympics. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Sophie Barber from ActivIpswich said: “there is always a great atmosphere with so many people not only enjoying the activity itself, but the social element of these activities we run on a daily basis is a very important factor in the general well-being of the participants.”