Budding sporting stars have enjoyed the return of swinging clubs and boots to venues across Furness.

Since Monday, amateur organisations including golf clubs, tennis courts and football clubs have been allowed to return under the Government’s roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown.

John Woodhouse, captain at Furness Golf Club, went on his first round of golf on Tuesday since last year.

He was delighted to have reunited with friends and back playing the sport.

He said: “It was excellent. The weather really helped our return as well with it just getting warmer and warmer throughout the day.

“It was just nice to be back playing golf after three months of idleness.

“I usually play with three friends and it was first time I had seen them since before the lockdown was announced in January. We had been speaking over the phone and texting over WhatsApp, but it was just superb to see them again.

"There were a few other members out on the course in front of us too and it was just great to see familiar faces again.

"We must have had 400 rounds in the first two days; pretty much all of the tee slots have been booked, so everyone is getting out and enjoying the game again. Just today we’ve had about 250 people on the course."

Elsewhere, Dalton Leisure Centre had welcomed members back too.

The centre has been hosting spinning classes in its car park as it implements its outdoor timetable.

Grassroots football clubs are also starting back up again, with sides in the Barrow and District Junior Football League training before restarting their campaign this weekend.

League chairman Ben Shirley was happy to see amateur football returning in the area.

He said: “The league has been working hard to schedule fixtures for every age group throughout the league and we are pleased to be able to resume fixtures once again.

“Our clubs have done an excellent job in making sure that their grounds are Covid-secure so that grassroots youth football can return to Barrow and the surrounding area.

“We’re really pleased to see football back, we’ve all missed it and I know that the teams can’t wait to get started once again.”