Swindon became a leader in the region for providing training for climbers with the recent opening of a massive artificial indoor wall in the Link Centre.

The £130,000 state of the art climbing facility, funded by the council and a £74,000 lottery grant, plus £5,000 from Cotswold Outdoor, offers a wide range of surfaces and conditions to get the learner started and to challenge the most advanced climbing. Link Centre runs couses for adults and also popular sessions aimed at children. People with disabilities are also able to try out a new sport as well.

Climbers have had to travel to better facilities in Bristol and Gloucester. Now people will be travelling to Swindon to take advantage of what Link Centre can offer says climbing development officer Pete Debbage. "The sport has grown enormously over the last few years and there is a terrific interest from all ages to learn. What we have here is definitely the best around."