THE number of kids taking part in the active schools programme in Inverclyde is on the rise.

There have been 66,696 visits to Active Schools sessions in Inverclyde, a rise of a quarter on 2021/22.

The number of participants, sessions, people who deliver them and club/school links also increased over the same period.

Active Schools programmes across Inverclyde and the rest of Scotland, only resumed last year (2021/22) following Covid-19 public health measures.

There has been a increase of three per cent in the number of pupils taking part and a hike in the number of sessions laid on, to more than 3,000. This is an increase of 17 per cent.

Almost 300 people, an increase of 17 per cent, delivered the sessions.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “Through support from the council and our partners sportscotland, our Active Schools service continues to go from strength to strength and these figures really do back that up.

"Being active is vitally important for physical and mental wellbeing and our active schools team provides our young people with excellent opportunities to participate in a variety of sports.

“While we’re not yet at pre-pandemic levels, a 25 per cent rise in participation is a huge leap in the right direction and I’m sure we will see continued success thanks to our dedicated and passionate active schools and sports development team working in schools across Inverclyde.”