The number of children partipating in sport increased significantly in the six months leading up to last year's Olympics and Paralympics, results from the DCMS' Taking Part Survey reveal.

The percentage of children aged 11 to 15 years old who had participated in sport in the week before they were surveyed was 94.4 per cent for the 12 months to the end of September 2012.

This was up from 86.6 per cent for the 12 months to the end of March 2012.

For children aged 5 to 10 years old, 76 per cent had participated in sport outside of school in the week prior to the survey, for the period ending September 2012. This was up from 76 per cent for the period up until March 2012.

The survey also found over half of 11 to 15 year olds and a third of 5 to 10 year olds were encouraged to take part in sport as a result of the UK hosting the Games.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said: "We have a strong, tangible sports legacy in place; increasing opportunities for people to participate in sport and improving facilities.

"We want to see these numbers continue to rise and createa culture where people have a sporting habit for life."