A new interactive gaming activity combining elements of lazer tag and obstacle course runs is coming to Kent.

TAGactive, a tech-driven indoor arena, is set to open as part of the £20 million rebuild of the White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley.

A new interactive tech-driven obstacle course is coming to Kent. Credit: Everyone Active

Tech savvy youngsters and their families will be able to try the new gaming course for the first time during an open weekend on February 12 and 13.

The arena itself is split into separate zones and each area contains different challenges.

Inside players must use speed, agility and strategy to locate and reach hidden transponder boxes.

Once found, the box is ‘tagged’ using a sensor on a wristband and each time a player tags a box points are awarded.

A player’s score appears on an electronic scoreboard where competitors can look to set the best score of the day, or even of all time.

The facility forms part of the new £20 million White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Sevenoaks council.

When it opens it will be the second TAGactive to be unveiled at any of Everyone Active’s 200 sites across the country.

It follows a recent boom in online gaming’s popularity with permanent eSports destinations fast becoming hot property.

A recent Ofcom report entitled 'Online Nation' revealed that 62% of adults and 92% of 16 to 24-year-olds played online games on an electronic device, while smartphones were used for gaming by 39% of UK adults.

And while it is aimed at all ages and interests, Everyone Active hopes its hybrid approach to activity and technology will encourage gamers to be more active.

Hasan Romel, Area Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “TAGactive bridges the worlds of activity, gaming and technology and we are confident it will encourage new sections of the community to engage in exercise.

“This is something which people of all ages and abilities can enjoy and is sure to result in healthy competition between friends, family, colleagues or classmates.”

Cllr Lesley Dyball, Sevenoaks council’s cabinet member for people and places added: “We are so excited to be bringing TAGactive to Swanley.

"The game is becoming increasingly popular across the globe and will be the first of its kind in Kent.

"It’s certainly a fun and exciting way to promote exercise, fitness and competition.”

The new White Oak centre development will see the ageing complex on Hilda May Avenue demolished and replaced with a new build on the same site.

A petition had been launched to retain some of the sporting facilities inside the 53-year-old building but the council said it had come to the "end of its serviceable life" due to its age and condition.

TAGactive sessions are bookable via the Everyone Active app and website.