A CLIMBING centre has gone from strength to strength after announcing it will soon have a new £30,000 wall.

Grip and Go, at the Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden is to build a nine metre by six metre climbing face.

The build will give climbers the chance to gain a National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) qualification.

There will be a platform at the top of the wall for visitors to gain abseiling qualifications.

Rachael Kershaw, Grip & Go marketing officer, said the new walls will provide the chance for participants to have a go at a more advanced, traditional style of climbing.

She said: “The wall can hold four climbers on auto-belay lines at the same time, each three different routes to climb.

“This means that there will be a total of 12 different routes up the wall that can be changed at any time.

“The holds are made from different types of resin which look and feel like real rock, the wall will be mainly used for lead climbing, but can also be used for top roping.

“The wall has also been designed so that it can be extended, which is something that we have considered for the future.

“We are always looking for ways to make improvements to the services we offer.

“By making this investment we feel we will be able to cater for climbers who are more advanced.”

Currently the centre in Helmshore Road has 18 different themed seven metre walls, ‘a leap of faith’ jumping apparatus and Ariel stepping stones.

Work to build the new walls is set to start on Monday, September 19, with the centre shutting for a week to allow the work to be undertaken.

Cllr Val Roberts, who represents the area on Rossendale Council, said: “I think this is absolutely brilliant.

“The centre is for people right across the age range, but it will do wonders for the youngsters.

“It will encourage them to get off their computer games, get out, get fit and get active.

“This centre is doing an excellent job in trying to encourage people to explore different things.

“Haslingden gets left out a lot of the time and this centre is ideal for people to get involved.

“The new wall will encourage people to take part in this award scheme and help get kids on the straight and narrow.”