Sport England is investing in a programme which aims to offer children from some of the country's poorest areas the opportunity to get physically active.

The grassroots sports body has handed a £500,000 grant to charity SportInspired, which offers youngsters the chance to try out a sports that may not have traditionally been accessible in their area.

The funding is expected to see more than 9,000 children, young people and families benefit from Sport Inspired's "United by Fun” programme over the next four years (between 2020 and 2023).

Among the initiatives will be one-day sports festivals, which give young people the opportunity to try a activities such as parkour, martial arts and fencing.

“The project will focus on the communities who are most in need, working with local schools, sport clubs and community partners to provide more opportunities for local young people to access sport or physical activity," said Mike Diaper, Sport England's executive director of children and young people.

“The focus will be on celebrating the joy of taking part. Our research shows that enjoyment above competence is the main driver in children getting and staying active.”

SportInspired was set up in 2008 and delivers programmes in places where children have the fewest opportunities, bringing together different parts of the community to create longer-term change.