MERRY Hill will be hosting free family-friendly sporting events at the centre this summer.

The shopping mall will be running a programme of sporting activities in partnership with organisations such as The Albion Foundation and Active Black Country, every day between 11am to 3pm, from Monday August 7 to Friday August 18.

The centre’s event space on the lower mall opposite M&S and Mango will host Play United - inspired by the legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Play United’s events will include activities including seated volleyball, handball, table tennis, adaptive cycles, balance bikes; there’ll also be a pop-up cycle track.

The centre will also be offering inflatable football challenges, a blind football experience and target ball games for visitors to test their skills.

Visitors can turn up on the day, no advance booking is required.

Over the two weeks players from West Bromwich Albion’s women’s football, blind football and powerchair football teams will also be dropping in and visitors will be able to grab a selfie with mascot Baggie Bird.

The activities are designed to get people moving and offer visitors chance to try different sports.

Visitors can also learn about maintaining their bikes and get involved in activities focussed on water safety and the canals around the Black Country with the Canal & Rivers Trust.

Merry Hill centre manager Jonathan Poole said: "After the success of our 11-day Commonwealth Games inspired programme of activities last year, we wanted to create a lasting legacy of fully inclusive sports activities for the region.

“Much of the country will come together in support of the Lionesses at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer, so we want to bring a sense of the celebratory spirit into our centre with activities that everyone in the community can enjoy, regardless of age or ability.”