An surge in the number of volunteers delivering sport sessions for school pupils has resulted in a five per cent increase of children taking part to 290,000.

According to figures from sportscotland – the Scottish government’s sport funding partner – the number of delivers of Active Schools sport and physical activity sessions grew by eight per cent to 22,000 in 2015/16, with 19,000 accounting for volunteers.

The growth resulted in 350,000 activity sessions (a five per cent year-on-year increase) being held for the school children, and was the catalyst behind a record 6.5m child visits.

Active School sessions take place in every primary and secondary school in Scotland during lunch and after school, and children can take part in up to 100 sports or physical activities.

The project is backed financially by sportscotland and the nation’s 32 local authorities. The former had invested upto £12.5m (US$16.5m, €14.6m) per year in the scheme, but in 2014 it made the commitment to plough £50m (US$66m, €58.5m) in over four years.

Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, said he hoped the initiative “motivates and inspires young people to get into sport”.

“Our strong partnerships with local authorities and the Scottish government are helping to further strengthen and improve our Active Schools Network across the country,” he added. “Together, we will continue to ensure that young people in Scotland have the best sporting opportunities and experiences available.”