A FRIENDS group has become the first in the area to set up a permanent orienteering course at a park.

The course was set up by The Friends of Jubilee Country Park after a request from the 3rd Petts Wood scout group.

It cost £600 which was given by local charity, Give2Give, which raises funds for small local charities and community groups in Bromley.

Chairwoman of the friends group, Jennie Randall, said: “As a group we are very keen to encourage people of all ages to benefit from a more active lifestyle .

“Our new orienteering course is a great way to keep fit and have fun in our beautiful park.”

The friends group has been working with Bromley’s Countryside and Parks Service to install the orienteering posts.

It has also worked with the Dartford Orienteering Klubb, which mapped the park and advised on locations for the checkpoints.

Orienteering is where groups of people race on foot over a course with the aid of a map and compass.

Nick Babb, who is cub scout leader from the 3rd Petts Wood, said: “It is great that the group has taken the initiative to create this new orienteering course which so many young people will be able to make use of.”

Maps for the orienteering course are now available costing £1 from Jolly Good Sports at 89 Queensway, Petts Wood.

Money from the sale of the maps will be used to towards looking after the park and improving it for both wildlife and people.

Bromley Countryside Officer, Jenny Price, said: “We hope the orienteering course will provide people with a new way of looking at their local nature reserve.”

As well as the orienteering course, the group has organised other events, including a bat walk which is taking place on August 19.

It starts at 8pm and will give people the chance to see the bats in their natural habitat.

To book a place call the Bromley Countryside and Parks Service offices on 01689 862 815.

For more information about the Friends of Jubilee Country Park, visit their website at jubileecountrypark.btik.com.