New sports zones for schoolchildren to do PE are being created in parks across Hammersmith and Fulham.

The zones, in Hurlingham Park and South Park in Fulham and Wormwood Scrubs and Linford Christie Stadium in Shepherd's Bush will give schools access to sports facilities, Hammersmith and Fulham Council announced this month.

These will include football pitches, tennis courts and basket ball courts at the times of day when residents use the parks least.

The borough has claimed that high land values and a lack of space mean that many inner city schools, especially in small boroughs like H&F, struggle to provide all of the sports facilities they need on their own site.

Cabinet member for residents' services Cllr Paul Bristow said: "I am tremendously pleased that we have found a way to help our school children get fitter by increasing the use of the sports facilities in our parks during the quieter times of the day - like some weekday mornings.

"It is not realistic to have big sports pitches in inner city schools any more but by creating these innovative sport zones there will be ample facilities to keep our school children fit and healthy."

Plans for school sport zones started in 2007 after former Olympic medallist, Roger Black, visited Hurlingham Park off Broomhouse Lane, Fulham.

The successful pilot scheme allowed local schools to book sports facilities within walking distance of the school gates.

The council has also struck a deal with the new Hammersmith Academy, which is due to open in 2011, to pre-book sports facilities at Ravenscourt Park off King Street, Hammersmith.