A new climbing wall has opened near Preston.

Boulder UK is on the Walton Summit industrial estate and has one of the biggest bouldering walls in the UK.

Four avid climbers are running the centre, including a former X Games champion.

Ian Vickers, former British and European climbing champion, Gill Peet, who has more than 20 years climbing experience and represented Team GB, Neil Mawson, who has established one of the toughest climbs in the UK and Tanya Meredith, the first female to complete the Traverse of the Gods climb at Longridge.

The team have taken on 15 part-time workers as part of the opening.

Ms Peet said: “The Walton Summit site represents an exciting stage in the evolution of indoor climbing walls in the UK. The facility will provide an excellent training ground for those entering the sport as well as elite level climbers.

“Already, after opening just last weekend, GB paraclimber and local lad Martin Heald and GB climbers Dave Barran and Grace Trenchard have become regular users. With climbing recently introduced as an Olympic sport for Tokyo games 2020, we’re hopeful that with a training ground like this, we may even have some athletes from the North West competing. We’re also really exciting about introducing lots of new climbers to this lifestyle sport.”

Read more: Reward offered after metal taken from roofing firm in Walton Summit

Opening on Friday 1 September the climbing wall is based in Carnfield Place and is open 10am to 10pm every day.

Anyone wanting to climb must complete an induction which is a one-off fee of £20, and then entry prices are between £6 to £8 depending on time of day and the age of the climber.

Been in yet? What do you think of Boulder UK? Let us know in the comments below