A FORMER British climbing champion is hoping to inspire rock climbers of the future after giving out a few tips while trying out the new facilities in Rossendale.

Emma Twyford recently visited the walls at Grip & Go in Haslingden – scaling the 18 themed walls, as well the ‘Leap of Faith’ and vertical stepping stones.

The one time British junior bouldering champion was also on hand to offer advice and tips to climbers who were luckily enough to be booked in during the day.

Emma from North Wales has tackled some of the toughest climbs in the world, and last year became the first British woman to scale one of the UK’s hardest ascents at Malham Cove in Yorkshire.

Ken Masser centre manager for the Adrenaline Centre and business director for Rossendale Leisure Trust said it was a special day for the centre and for the people who managed to pick Emma's brains on climbing.

He said: "It was a huge privilege for Grip & Go to welcome Emma Twyford.

“She is a highly experienced rock climber and we were thrilled to have someone of her calibre come and try out our climbing walls.

“During the day she was on hand to offer her advice to people who were booked in to use the facility. We are sure that she was an inspiration to all those booked in to climb on that day.”

The £275,000 facility, which is based at Haslingden Sports Centre, was officially opened in July by Ted Robbins, star of CBBC’s The Slammer and Channel 4’s Phoenix Nights.

The attraction is part of the transformation of the sports centre, which has been renamed the Adrenaline Centre and includes a brand new state of the art café and the redevelopment of the laser tag activity.

Bookings for Grip & Go are now being taken. For further information visit www.adrenalinecentre.co.uk