BUDDING athletes will be able to train for the BBC's Sport Relief Mile at an Ipswich sports centre for free.Up to 10,000 people are expected to gather at Chantry Park, the official eastern region venue, on July 10 to run, walk, hop or jump the Mile.

BUDDING athletes will be able to train for the BBC's Sport Relief Mile at an Ipswich sports centre for free.

Up to 10,000 people are expected to gather at Chantry Park, the official eastern region venue, on July 10 to run, walk, hop or jump the Mile.

Ipswich Borough Council has teamed up with Sport Relief and, in the month prior to Sport Relief Saturday, anybody who has enrolled to take part in the Mile will be entitled to use the athletics track at Northgate Sports Centre free of charge.

All they have to do is take their special Sport Relief red sock and show it to the receptionist at Northgate.

And as a reward for helping to 'sock it to poverty', for two weeks after the Mile anybody who shows a pair of Sport Relief red socks (preferably clean!) at Crown Pools will be entitled to swim free of charge.

Adam Baker, Ipswich Borough Council's Sports Development Manager said: "Now there's no excuse not to go the extra mile on Sport Relief Saturday. All we ask is that Milers give Northgate a ring before they go to check availability."

Northgate's number is 01473 433611.

The first Sport Relief was held in July 2002 and brought the world of sport together under one banner for the first time, raising an impressive £14.4 million.

If you haven't yet registered visit www.sportrelief.com or call 08712 444411 today.