A SPECIAL day of sport and adventure enabled scores of young people in Swindon to get a taste of something new.

Children took to the track and field in glorious sunshine on Wednesday to take part in Swindon’s Summer Access Day.

The Access Day is open to children with a wide range of disabilities from special schools and mainstream schools across Swindon.

It aims to introduce children to new activities, which they may not have tried, or even heard of, before.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, Swindon Borough Council’s (SBC) cabinet member for children’s services, said the event was a big success, giving around 180 children the chance to sample a raft of sports and activities at the County Ground athletics track.

“Access Day is always such a popular event and I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the children who took part,” said Coun Foley.

“I also want to thank all the volunteers and the clubs as without their support we wouldn’t be able to organise events such as these.”

The free day saw a number of local clubs and volunteers give up their time to run a variety of activities for the children to try out.

The activities available on the day and the clubs providing them included boxing (Scrappers Gym), martial arts (Success Martial Arts), football (STFC Football in the Community), archery (Oxenwood), cycling (SkyRide.com), basketball (Swindon Shock Wheelchair Basketball Club), orienteering (North Wilts Orienteering Club), croquet (Swindon Croquet Club), seated volleyball (SBC), running (Swindon Shin Splints), Boccia (SBC) and bowls (County Ground Bowls Club).

A number of volunteers were also on hand to help children throughout the day, including sport leader students from Ridgeway School, and it was organised by the council along with a number of advisory teachers.