SOME had not played netball in more than half a century and others only stepped away from competition in recent years.

But all the women at a new walking netball session have rekindled their love of the schoolyard favourite thanks to this gentler version of the game.

Launched by England Netball to encourage women and men to play again, walking netball is an adaptation of the original game in which players cannot run or jump. Players also get an extra step before being called for footwork– to allow for loss of balance in older players.

Joanne Heron, a community sport and physical activity development coordinator at Durham County Council, helped establish groups at Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centres.

She said: "We want to help people get fit and increase activities during the day and this appeals to people who don't feel fit enough for netball or want a gentle reintroduction to the game.

"The biggest by-product has been the social side, they cackle with laughter while they are training."

Mrs Heron said sessions at Spennymoor, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm every Monday, are only possible because players Valerie Watson and Sarah Young trained to become voluntary coaches and run the class. Sessions are also held at Newton Aycliffe on Mondays, from 10.30am to 11.30am and cost £3.

Mrs Watson, of Ferryhill, has various voluntary roles and caring responsibilities at home.

She said: "I needed something for me, time to myself and to stay fit and active.

"It may be walking netball but we really get a good workout and it is a great way of meeting new people."

Mrs Young played netball from school through to ladies leagues and was a coach and umpire but had to give up the game in the mid-1990s after having her daughter followed by two hip replacements.

She said: "It is a fantastic way of getting back into it."

Angela Watson, 80, of Hamsterley, first tried it with her village WI and thinks more people should do the same.

She said: "It has been great, I've always been active with horse riding and I did used to run but hadn't played netball since school. It is good exercise and very sociable."

Sessions have been promoted through Women's Institute groups and doctor's surgeries and players hope more people will join them at both centres.