THE Cotswold Olimpick Games is edging closer with the entertainment for this year announced.

Along with popular returning sports such as shin kicking there will also be fire-eaters and fireworks with Olympic gold medallist and world champion rower Matt Gotrel officially opening the games.

Cavalry of heroes will feature jousting on horseback, whilst The Sambassadors and Coventry Corps of Drums will lead the torchlit procession.

There will be street food and a hog roast for visitors to get stuck into whilst the ever popular champion of the hill will see a parade of the teams who compete in a succession of rural sports beginning with the traditional obstacle race.

The games will take place this year, after they were cancelled last year because of a lack of funds and volunteers. There were also concerns that safeguarding regulations mean that previous sports have had to be adapted.

However, a new committee headed up by Tom Threadgill, the new chairman of the games has worked hard to convince people to get involved through a revamped Facebook page and a more complete website.

The committee has also made changes to keep the games modern but also to retain their tradition.

A statement on the games' Facebook page said: "We are excited to announce that the Cotswold Olimpicks return this year.

"We have been working hard to ensure the revelry and celebrations continue in the name of Robert Dover himself."

The Robert Dover Cotswold Olimpick Games open at 5pm on Friday June 1 on Dover's Hill near Chipping Campden.