A FUN take on the traditional game of golf is teeing off in the Lake District.

The new nine-hole footgolf course at Glebe Park, Bowness, opened this week just in time for Easter. The aim of the sport is to get a football into the hole with as few kicks as possible. The team at the recreation ground are hoping plenty of players young and old will be attracted to give it a try.

"It's something the kids will really enjoy," said Caroline Smith, active communities manager for Better, the charitable enterprise that runs Glebe Park as well as Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre, and the leisure centres in Kendal, Appleby and Ulverston.

"We had seen a drop-off in the number of people playing golf at The Glebe and we didn't want to take golf out completely because there are people enjoying it. But we felt splitting it into a nine-hole traditional pitch-and-putt and nine holes of footgolf would appeal to the wider community."

This December will see the third Footgolf World Cup held in Marrakech, Morocco. "With it being a world cup year we thought we would try something different," said Caroline.

She hopes the game will prove popular with local youngsters during weekends and school holidays as well as daytrippers and holidaymakers, and she says it is "less weather dependent" than traditional golf.

Glebe Park has also opened chipping nets for target golf, which can be played from a stationary position. "It's really good for people who can't walk the full length of the golf course," added Caroline.

Glebe Park is open every day until the end of September. For offers, visit www.facebook.com/BetterGlebePark/?