A PADIHAM school has become the first in the UK to have an outdoor ‘free running’ facility installed.

St Leonard’s CE Primary in Moor Lane is now opening the facility for community use to teach children how to enjoy the new sport in a safe environment.

Yesterday the school had a launch event where partner organisations watched a demonstration of the facility by local youngsters and UK free running experts.

Burnley footballers Chris Eagles and Clarke Carlisle went to the school to support the project.

Free running, also known as Le Parkour, is the art of movement using obstacles found in a ‘free runners’ path to perform jumps and acrobatics. It is a growing sport that has swept the country, having originated in Paris.

The facility is going to be used by local free running groups with the aim of training teenagers and ex-offenders to teach children the sport safely and to get youngsters off the street.

Headteacher Julie Bradley said: “When I was approached about the project I said: ‘Yes please’ immediately. It promotes physical activity, gets youngsters off the street and it is something that they are already very interested in.

“A lot of youngsters around the area are already doing it, we are hoping that this project will teach them how to do it properly in a safe environment to prevent injuries.”

Clarke Carlisle said: “I think it’s fantastic that they have been able to bring it down to this level where everyone can have a go no matter what age.

“It looks like great fun and the facility is easily installed and could be put up in any school.”