A gentle take on the beautiful game is proving a big hit in West Cumbria.

Walking football sessions have been held at St Joseph's School in Harrington Road, Workington, for two years and organiser David Wise has watched them grow from sometimes just two or three players to now averaging eight-a-side.

Although the low-impact, non-contact sessions are aimed at over-50s, people in their 30s and 40s also take part and some of the school's pupils stay back after school to join in, with people from across Allerdale and Copeland involved.

David said: "It took quite a while to get established so the first few weeks it was three people, four, sometimes even two.

"But since the start of this year it's grown and particularly in the last couple of weeks.

"There was a thing on television about walking football which I think helped.

"It's probably one of the fastest growing sports in the country."

A Cumbrian league is in the pipeline and the team has had two charity matches against coaches and parents from Allerdale Girls.

David hopes to eventually be able to take sides to national competitions like the FA People's Cup.

"The social aspect is really good," David added.

"Everybody's in the same boat trying to walk rather than run which is an art form in itself.

"People are quite tentative about it at first.

"They don't try it because they think walking football sounds too slow, or they think they won't be able to do it if they're unfit or have been injured.

"But people who are dropping their children off for after-school activities are finding themselves standing and watching.

"I'm 51 and it's got me back into playing football after playing years ago.

"It's about being competitive but at the same time coming away with a buzz from playing sport again.

"We've got guys there who have had hip operations and a lot of them are ex-footballers who thought their playing days were over.

"There are others who have maybe been bereaved or are looking for something to do during the week to make new friends."

For more information about walking football, call David on 07742547767.