BLACKPOOL has sprinted, kicked, thrown and jumped its way to the number one spot for sport in the community.

The resort's sports development programme is being used as a national pacesetter by Sport England (formerly the English Sports Council), showing the way for other councils to follow.

The programme, set up by Blackpool Council, has vastly expanded residents' involvement in a whole range of sports from football to netball, gymnastics, table tennis, swimming, athletics and hockey.

Rosemary Leach, Sport England's north west representative, said Blackpool was leading the way forward and added: "Blackpool's sports development plans are being used as good practice by Sport England regionally and nationally."

Leisure chairman Coun Roy Lewis said: "In the sports development arena, Blackpool is proving to be a national gold medal winner.

"We have made tremendous leaps and bounds in developing a number of sports in the town, which is a credit to our committed leisure services team."

The resort now has an up-to-date sports centre, swimming pool, track and arena, floodlit football and hockey pitches.

In addition, Blackpool leisure services recently achieved the UK's top quality award for sports management, at its Stanley Park Sports Centre and Moor Park Swimming Pool.

Special measures are in the pipeline as well to target lottery funding on supporting talented young sports stars from disadvantaged groups.

Senior leisure services officer John Blackledge said: "The council is setting the pace towards a national sports scheme to rival any in the world."

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