REDDITCH has been chosen to host a national sporting event which will generate more than £100,000 for the town's economy.

The British Triathlon Association will be holding the 2004 National Sprint Triathlon Championships on Sunday, May 23, at Arrow Valley Park.

The gruelling contest will include a 750m swim in Arrow Valley Lake, a 20km cycle along the A4189 towards Henley through Ullenhall before returning to Arrow Valley Park for a 5km run in the park.

Andrew Cunnell, of the Redditch Triathletes, said: "Thanks to the generosity of Redditch Council in making the wonderful facilities at Arrow Valley Park available, we can expect the National Sprint Championships to attract around 1,000 competitors."

Council cultural development manager Chris Hill said: "We are very pleased to be hosting a national event and anticipate it will be worth more than £100,000 for the local economy.

"We hope the event will be a great success and that it may even become an annual event based in Redditch."

For information on the triathlon, call Mr Cunnell on 0121 4455210 or the British Triathlon Association on 01509 226161 or visit their website at www.britishtriathlon.org

In addition to the triathlon, a 10km fun run - which can be run or walked - is being planned to be held in the park in the afternoon.

For more details, call 07985 762859 or e-mail red10run@yahoo.com

Entry forms can be picked up from the Kingfisher Centre information desk, the YMCA in Church Hill Centre, Arrow Valley Countryside Centre or Redditch Library.