For two new centres will encourage physical fitness and inreased learning.

A new academy offering youngsters specialist coaching in sports such as football, hockey, rugby and netball launches in Hunstanton next month.

And a learning centre which was set up in Lynn in May has just opened an outreach base at Hunstanton.

The Eagle Sports Academy will be run by Darren Gill and his team of qualified specialist coaches based at Premier Racquets, in Sedgeford, with the aim of encouraging youngsters to become active and try something new.

The venture is being run as a non-profit organisation and will be open for children between the ages of five and 14.

Taster sessions will be offered at the Glebe House School from Wednesday, October 29, to Friday, October 31, during the half-term week.

Mr Gill said: "This really brings sport to our doorstep in North West Norfolk. It gives young people in our area a chance to try new sports without having to spend money on equipment or travel a great distance.

"This taster session should be a bit of fun and will raise the profile of the Eagle Sports Academy, to offer physical education and school sport to all local children."

The aim is to then provide regular Saturday morning coaching, when children can participate in their favourite sports with the more talented being encouraged to join elite programmes.

For more information call Mr Gill on 01485 571961.

The learning centre was always an ambition of Learning Works to expand its training opportunities towards the coast and it now has the funding and premises at the council offices in Valentine Road, Hunstanton.

Although a formal opening is planned for later this month, the centre is already open and offering Learndirect courses to clients.

There are in the region of 500 courses on offer in five main areas – home and office information technology, specialist IT for advanced computer skills, Skills for Life courses which include English and maths, and business and management courses taking in law, customer care and finance.

Learners can use the centre free of charge and training is flexible so the courses can be completed at home, at the training centre or in the workplace and, in some cases, full funding is available.

At present the new Hunstanton centre opens at 9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and it will shortly also be open on Wednesdays.