DARLINGTON’S residents are getting more active, a new survey by Sport England has revealed.

The latest Active People Survey showed that Darlington boasted the second highest rate for adult participation in sport out of all the North-East council areas.

It revealed that 26.2 per cent of residents took part in 30 minutes of activity a week between April 2014 and March 2016, up from 21.1 per cent

Cllr Nick Wallis, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for leisure said the increase was good news.

“We’ve made real progress over the last few years with a wide range of initiatives across the borough and our Move More Team has played a pivotal role in this success,” he said.

“The team has helped secure more than £2m of grant funding over the last three years to improve sports facilities, set up satellite sports clubs and support engagement programmes and the growing number of clubs and volunteers.

“It’s great to see their efforts are paying dividends and more people are getting into, and returning, to sport.”

Among the many successful funding applications supported by the Move More Team were Darlington Rugby Club receiving £135,000 to help redevelop the changing facilities and car park and securing an 80 per cent contribution to a £512,580 refurbishment of existing pitch facilities at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Mike Crawshaw, the council’s head of leisure and culture, said: “We’re delighted to see more and more people are getting active and look forward to continuing to work with many of the fantastic groups and local sports clubs across the borough, which include Darlington Harriers & Athletics Club which celebrated its 125th anniversary earlier this year.”

For more information about sports activities in Darlington and ideas on how to get more active, visit www.healthydarlington.co.uk or contact the Move More team on 01325-254370.