A former James Bond villain has opened what is believed to be London's first purpose-built outdoor parkour course.
Sebastien Foucan, who appeared in Casino Royale, is credited as the founder of freerunning and was an early pioneer in the closely related pursuit of parkour, in which participants use a combination of strength, speed and skill to vault, climb and perform tricks on obstacles like railings and benches.
He used his expertise to design a new obstacle course at Avenue Park, in Cranford, where disciples of the fast-growing sports can put themselves to the test.
Unveiling the equipment on Monday (August 3), Mr Foucan - whose character Mollaka was killed by 007 in Casino Royale - said he hoped the course would be the first of many in the capital.
"I am very pleased to see west London's first outdoor parkour and freerunning facility open," he said.
"This facility is a big plus for anyone who is interested in my discipline and all of the people who want to find a new way of moving their bodies.
"Freerunning is about expressing yourself and challenging mental barriers. I hope residents enjoy Avenue Park and congratulate Hounslow Council for seeing that people of all ages need to have play time. I would love to see many more of these built throughout London."
The parkour course is the centre-piece of a £150,000 face-lift for the park, which was funded by Hounslow Council. The council claims it is the first purpose-built outdoor parkour course in the capital.
The park's other new facilities include a 10-station outdoor gym, revamped tennis courts, rugby posts, a full-size football pitch and a multi-use games area where visitors can play sports including basketball.
To encourage people to make the most of them, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust will be running free activities for people of all ages in the park every Tuesday and Thursday throughout August.
Councillor Ed Mayne, the council's cabinet member for public health and leisure, said: "No doubt it will attract visitors from far and wide but it is a place that will nurture new, local sporting talent too, so it really is a fantastic place for local people to enjoy."
Cranford councillor Gurpal Virdi was delighted with the improvements to the park, which he said he and other local councillors had been pushing for to attract more visitors and reduce antisocial behaviour.
