THE theme tune for the new Harry Potter video game is to get its first public performance at a Nottingham festival.

A performance of the music created by composer James Hannigan will be a highlight of this year's GameCity gaming showcase.

The annual festival celebrates the best of video games culture and aims to get the people of Nottingham involved in interactive events.

The music will be showcased in a concert at St Mary's Church in High Pavement

Five-time Bafta nominee Mr Hannigan's work has appeared in games, such as Command and Conquer and Fifa football titles, and the Primeval TV series.

And on October 28 the Pinewood Singers and conductor Allan Wilson will debut his new theme from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The event will also see performances of tracks from popular game Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 and a discussion on composing for games.

Mr Hannigan said it was a "real pleasure" to be involved in the fifth GameCity.

He said: "I feel it is an exciting and unique festival celebrating and emphasising the cultural, rather than technological, impact of games.

"As games move forward and become more of a recognised art form, I believe the sound and music in them will increasingly be recognised as an important part of the emotional landscape of the gaming experience."

This year's GameCity, on October 26-30, will see organisers team up with the NHS in Nottingham to promote healthy lifestyles.

Half of a huge marquee in Old Market Square will be turned into a gym, where visitors can take part in fitness activities using the new Sports Active 2 game.

The game, not yet been released by Electronic Arts, allows gamers to take part in virtual workouts wearing heart-rate monitors.

The other half of the marquee will be turned into a number of living rooms with games.

All the rooms will be painted by artists connected to the video games industry.

Details of this year's festival were unveiled at Antenna in Beck Street on Friday.

One innovation is the OpenGameCity platform, which organisers say will allow people to get more involved with events.

A specification has been created with details of all the festival's venues in a bid to allow gamers and non-gamers alike to take part.

Festival director Iain Simons said: "I can barely believe it's been five years we've been doing this.

"This year the festival is more accessible and embedded in the city than ever before.

"Over four days there will be some amazing things for everyone to do across the city – I don't think we've ever had a programme this packed before."

For more information about this year's GameCity visit www.gamecity.org.