The number of adults taking part in regular sport has increased, with the over 55-year-olds leading the way.

According to Sport England’s The Active People Survey, 19.7 per cent of all adults now participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity sport or active recreation at least three times a week.

The 55-year-olds and over was the age group which saw the biggest leap in participation in sport and active recreation, with a 1.3 per cent increase on 2006 figures.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: “The latest results show participation in sport is moving in the right direction.

“With such a wide variety of sports available to people varying from taekwondo to rock climbing we believe we will encourage more women and girls to take part.

Sport England has recently invested £1m into The Football Association to help increase the numbers of women and girls taking part in football.”

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe added: "It is encouraging that sports participation is on the rise across a whole range of sports.

“The over 55s are showing that you're never too old to take up sport and get active. It is testament to the hard work of sport providers in encouraging people to do just that.

“Of course there is still more that can be done and I would like to see more women getting out there and finding the sport for them."