A BASKETBALL club is looking forward to hitting the court again after an enforced break due to the pandemic.

Horwich Locos, which trains both juniors and adults alike, is the only basketball club in the town and hopes to promote the sport in Horwich and beyond.

The pandemic has been hugely challenging for sports and athletics clubs of all kinds, but with restrictions now having eased the Locos are looking forward to restating both junior training sessions on September 12.

Chairman Jay Patel said: "We had such good traction before Covid so it's almost like we're having to start again, but now we've got proper games in the diary again we're seeing training start to pick up as well."

The club has found itself in a rebuilding phase after lockdown but believes that the remains a huge potential well of interest in the area.

As such, Horwich Locos will be holding senior training on Tuesdays from 8pm to 10pm at St Joseph School RC High School and Sports College on Chorley New Road and on Sundays from 4pm to 5pm at Horwich Leisure Centre on Victoria Road.

Junior training sessions meanwhile will be held on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm, also at Horwich Leisure Centre.

Mr Patel said: "The idea was as kids got older, they'd stick around and then start to shuffle over and progress to the senior team."

To build on this, Horwich Locos has also announced that the club will be entering the Hyndburn and District Basketball League this season.

The league includes teams from both Bolton and all over Lancashire.

Horwich Locos will play their first game against Burnley Steam on Monday September 13.

Meanwhile there are plans to expand the club's reach amongst young people thanks to a new boost to Horwich Loco's finances.

Mr Patel said: "We've had some grant funding to put on extra sessions for juniors so we're looking to decide on a location for that."