RECORD numbers of people are using community leisure facilities run by a Darlington school each week, according to bosses.

Hummersknott Active, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Hummersknott Academy, has an average of 3,500 customers a week.

This exceeds the anticipated number of weekly users by 1,500.

Hummersknott Active, which now employs 20 people, was set up in 2011 for use by the local community.

It now also holds a wide variety of activities for children aged between four and 16 to engage in playing and learning about new sports under the supervision of staff.

Hummersknott Active offers access to the school's facilities including the swimming pool, netball and tennis courts, recording studio and dance and drama rooms – all of which are available to hire by community groups.

In addition, youngsters have the opportunity to take part in a range of sporting activities including football, netball, badminton, tennis, gymnastics, trampolining and swimming.

Pat Howarth, executive principal of Hummersknott Academy, said: “Through Hummersknott Active we offer the local community the chance to benefit from our excellent facilities out of hours.

“Hummersknott Active is an excellent way of linking up with a number of local organisations to provide a modern, safe and accessible venue for their classes, which also offers opportunities for local people to take part in a range of fun, active and educational activities.

“We’re delighted that so many people are now using the facilities and taking advantage of the wide range of activities on offer. The record number of users certainly exceeds initial even high expectations. I’m delighted that we are continuously adding to the activities on offer and thus attracting increasing numbers of users.”

Mr Howarth added: “We are also proud to host the Hummersknott Cadet Attachment, which has been voted the best school army detachment in the area.

"We also run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme at the academy.”

During term time, Hummersknott Active operates on week nights and weekends but during the holidays it also opens from 9.30am until 4pm each week day for children aged between four and 14.

For more information, call 01325-246469 or email ach@hummersknott.org.uk