Parkour gets first UK accredited course

Parkour professionals will teach about 20 young people, aged between eight and 19, techniques and moves used in the discipline.

It is an expressive sport where the aim is to move your body as efficiently and effectively as possible to navigate the obstacles around you. The sport consists of finding new ways through the city landscape by scaling walls, jumping down steps and running across buildings.

Councillor Sarah Richardson, cabinet member for children's services at Westminster City Council, said: "The parkour camp is a great way to get young people enthusiastic and motivated about sport.

"The Holiday Fun Programme provides a fantastic range of activities for young people in the city and this course is a great opportunity for teenagers, not only to learn new skills, but to take part in an accredited course."

The course has been accredited by the Assessment & Qualification Alliance (AQA), the UK's leading awarding body for general qualifications.

The free four-day course is part of the council's Holiday Fun Programme 2008, which provides a range of activities for young people across the city including arts, play, sport and family days out.