AN ATHLETIC group of youngsters will be given a permanent home with the help of a centre where they were ‘swinging off lamp-posts’.

Groundwork Pennine Lancashire director Nick Riley said he could have taken action against the young people who were ‘free running’ – a non-competitive sport where people use their body strength to propel themselves through urban spaces – on the Bolton Road site, in Blackburn.

Instead, he sat them down over pizza and suggested they find a dedicated area for their sport.

Mr Riley said: “There was a group of lads swinging off lampposts and running across roofs.

“We needed to do something, firstly so they didn’t hurt themselves, and secondly to save our roof, but there was no point shouting at them. They were talented, intelligent lads.”

Councillors and police attended a meeting organised by Mr Riley, as well as a prof- essional free runner from Parkour Generations, a gr-oup dedicated to teaching the sport.

The group decided to work together to try to set up an area where young-sters can perform.

Ewood councillor Maureen Bateson, who attended the event, said: “It was very int- eresting to hear young people talk about something they are so passionate about.

“Unfortunately, the coun-cil can’t fund a park for them, but we will work with them and support them to find funding.”

The free runners, who call themselves ‘Freerun Fanatics’, will now work with Groundwork to find a suit-able location and funding.

Alex Campbell-McFadden, one of the Freerun Fanatics, said: “This is my first experience with local government and it’s amazing to think that I could do something that other people my age can enjoy.

“Lots of young people in the area enjoy free running, but there’s nowhere to do it, or practice.

“There isn’t much for young people round here, and it would be so good to have somewhere to go to keep off the streets.”

Mr Riley said: “We should all do more to capture the energies of the youth in our areas.

“These are very talented young men and what they’re asking for isn’t really a big ask, and it will keep them safe.We are all going to do everything we can to make this happen.”