Today, Wednesday 30 January, witnessed the official handover of European City of Sport accolade to Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

The event is at the Health and Wellbeing conference, held at The UCLan, and will celebrate Preston’s great year as Europe’s sporting city.

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Chief Executive of the NHS National Confederation, Local Government Lead for Sport and Physical Activity and UCLan Honorary fellow Mike Farrer will discuss how physical activity and sport fit in to the new public health system.

Other guest speakers will enthuse about Preston residents taking up the gauntlet and getting involved with sporting activities and living a healthier lifestyle.

Councillor Tom Burns, Cabinet member for advice services, culture and leisure, said: “The European City of Sport status and its connection with the Guild and Preston being a Healthy City has enabled a wealth and variety of activities to take place across Preston in 2012.

Dr Adrian Ibbetson, the Academic Director of Sport at UCLan and Chair of Preston Sport and Physical Activity Alliance, commented: “Last year really put Preston on the sporting map with many successful events.

“The Guild Wheel Cycle Route was officially opened, we held a very popular Sky Ride with over 7,000 participants and over 5,000 people came to the city to take part in Europe’s largest corporate multi-sports event, the Corporate Games.

“Preston also welcomed international athletes from Oceania as they prepared for the London 2012 Olympic Games. During their visit the athletes supported school sports events at both city and county level in order to help inspire children to participate in, and excel at, sport and physical activity.”

“We are looking forward to celebrating Preston and UCLan’s achievements throughout 2012 during the conference and awards evening. The Health and Wellbeing conference, hosted by the University, will highlight the impact the European City of Sport status has made on the people of Preston who have taken up many new sporting activities.”