PUPILS from a Wirral primary school have taken up badminton as part of a national scheme to get more children interested in the sport.

Brookdale Primary School in Greasby has invested in the Badminton In Schools Initiative programme.

The scheme was set up by Badminton England and introduced via a partnership arrangement with Wirral Badminton Development Group.

Andy Meredith from Wirral Badminton Development Group said: "Badminton, like many sports, has seen a decline in the number of players.

"There is a real risk that we are missing out on talented players of the future and that ultimately the number of local players both socially and at league level reduces as well.

"It is important that badminton is recognised by the children as a really exciting sport to play.

"Our aim is to offer badminton to the local schools via BISI and other initiatives and to help seek funding to attract schools to take up the sport".

Paul Prescott, headteacher at Brookdale said: "By working with Wirral Badminton Development Group, Brookdale is able to promote badminton and healthy lifestyles to its pupils.

"The children who have taken part in the school's 'Introduction to Badminton' course recently really have made progress in their knowledge and skills associated with the game.

"This can be used as a foundation to move the sport on in Brookdale and also in the wider community in the near future."

More details on BISI are from www.wirralbadminton.org