AS Parkour is officially recognised as a sport for the first time in the UK, Lancashire Telegraph reporter Neil Athey visited East Lancashire's free running and Parkour experts to see exactly why the sport is catching the imaginations of local teens.

THE expert is like the Pied Piper.

The students follow his exact moves as he snakes around the academy.

Jumping, propelling and hopping along, each participant moves as quick as they can to keep the rhythm going.

It's easy to see why the group called itself Street Monkeys Academy and why it is becoming popular amongst teenagers.

The group move effortlessly along the apparatus.

Professional Parkour coach Bam Nelson, who leads the sessions in Blackburn, said: "Parkour is about getting from A to B in the most efficient way possible.

"It's an art form."

The newly-founded sport involves running, climbing, vaulting and swinging through an environment without any assistance or equipment.

Developed in France in the 1980s, Parkour has now been officially recognised by the home country sports councils enabling groups to apply for funding to develop its growth.

This is imperative for the members of Street Monkeys Academy, a Parkour group which practices at the Ribble Valley Acrobatic Academy in Challenge Way, Blackburn.

Lancashire Telegraph:

More than 60 youngsters meet weekly to learn how to jump, land and move safely by a group of professional coaches.

Sean Newsham, 21, head coach at Street Monkeys, has been involved with the sport for more than seven years years.

He said the sport has made a community out of those who attend.

"It's open to anyone who wants to take part, that's one of the best things about it.

"We've never seen it as a competition with other people, it's about improving yourself and enjoying it, said Sean.

"Even if you're not very athletic or if you have a physical condition that limits your movement to an extent, you can still take part and go at your own pace.

"We help those at a young age who want to get involved because it's such a great environment to be in, everyone is there for the same reason, to enjoy themselves.

"I remember doing it outside with Bam and a few others and now it's developed into a much bigger project."

There are no official 'moves' within Parkour and individual styles and skill of a participant sets them apart from others.

Bam said: "We teach the basics of falling and landing correctly and we've found people develop a lot better that way.

"If people learn how to control their bodies and know their limits they will be able to progress better and find what they are good at doing.

"It's great to see it has become a sport, but to us it's more of a big community.

"It was once seen as an anti-social thing, but now it's been seen as the positive influence it is.

"Because it's seen in music videos and films, it's become more popular and more people are getting to know what it is.

"It's become cool and kids want to do it."

Sean Delaney, Street Monkey's team manager, said the group are looking forward to getting their own base to expand their teaching.

He said: "The recognition of Parkour as a sport is fantastic, it gives it some backing.

"It's important because we can apply for funding from bodies such as Sport England.

"We are hoping to look for a bigger place to call The group also run free running sessions, which incorporates flips and turns into movement.