SPORT participation levels in North Somerset are above the national average a new report has shown.

It reveals that 22 per cent of the population aged 16 and over take part in sport and active recreation for at least 30 minutes on at least three days a week.

The report also showed that since the Olympics last summer, sports such as football, golf and cycling have seen membership and participation rates increase.

Rob Heathcote, membership secretary of Weston Wheelers cycling club said: “There’s no doubt that we have received a lot more enquires about membership and participation, because of the Olympics last summer.

“There was a surge of enquires straight after the Olympics and we’re encouraged that the level of people enquiring and joining has stayed the same this year.

“We’re only a small club so from our standpoint to see British cyclists like Bradley Wiggins doing well in events like the Tour de France is only helping us even more.

“There’s always a dip in participation when the weather isn’t great, we had an awful spring but now the sun is out it’s peaked again.”

Rebecca Stathers, sport and active lifestyles manager at North Somerset Council said: “These figures are encouraging and reflect nationally the same levels to other areas like ours.

“Participation levels have no doubt been helped by initiatives the council is providing.

“Developments like new and improved cycle paths around North Somerset have definitely helped.

“We’re still aiming to continue to increase participation.”