More than 6.8million people aged 16 and over are now taking part in sport at least three times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes.

 

The Active People survey carried out for Sport England shows the number of men regularly playing sport has risen by 311,000 to 4.04 million, while the number of women has increased by 240,000 to 2.81 million.

 

Sport England's chief executive Jennie Price said: "These figures provide Sport England, and the organisations we are funding, with a clear starting point on our journey to get one million people playing more sport by 2012.

 

"The results show we are heading in the right direction, but also highlight some of the challenges we face - such as tackling the gender gap - as we build momentum for community sport in the run-up to London 2012."

 

The fastest growth in sports participation has been among people in their 20s, and among people in the Yorkshire region, where the regular sports participation rate is 17.3 per cent.

 

There have been significant increases in all English regions except London and the West Midlands, which has the lowest sports participation rate of 14.6 per cent.

 

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "It's fantastic that over half a million more people are now taking part in sport since we won the Olympic bid."

 

The survey interviewed a huge number of people - 191,000 - in order to compare regions, sports and different groups.

 

Swimming remains the most popular sport, with athletics, including running and jogging, and cycling the fastest-growing.

 

David Sparkes, the chief executive of the asa, said: "It is great news that swimming still remains the highest participation sport - it is after all the only sport that can potentially save your life - but these figures show to everyone involved in the swimming community we cannot be complacent.

 

"Many people will have been inspired to get into the pool after the fantastic performance of Becky Adlington and co in Beijing and we need to ensure those people have access to pools and that these pools are of the highest quality.

 

"This is a challenge but we will continue to work with the government, pool providers and other partners to address the issues that stop people swimming."

 

Other sports have enjoyed a big rise was volleyball, where the number of adults taking part in weekly has increased from 32,800 in 2005/06 to 48,400 2007/08, a significant increase of 15,600.

Lisa Wainwright, the chief executive of Volleyball England stated “The statistics released today demonstrate our proven ability to deliver.

 

"We have remained focused on the outcomes of the Whole Sport Plan and worked with key stakeholders including the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England to expand the opportunities for the worldwide sport of Volleyball in England.

 

"Through the implementation of the new strategic plan for Volleyball England we aim to provide further opportunities for 500,000 people to experience volleyball for the first time by 2013 whilst enhancing the service we provide to our regular players.”

 

The rise in figures was welcomed Brigid Simmonds, the chair of the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR), umbrella organisation for 280 national governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK.

 

She said: "The figures show that participation rates are moving in the right direction - that momentum is critical.

 

"Governing bodies, supported by Sport England, are succeeding in creating quality opportunities for people across the country.

 

"With the right support, that opportunity was always there and the new focus at Sport England has helped governing bodies of sport deliver.

 

"There are still areas where more work needs to be done.

 

"For example, too few women are playing sport but nevertheless this a sign of real progress and Sport England and governing bodies should be congratulated on their success.

"The data also demonstrates that investment in sport pays off.

 

"Ministers could do much more to support the sector by removing unnecessary bureaucracy and by reducing costs which are crippling many sports clubs.

 

"With space and investment to grow, community clubs can make real differences, as the data shows."