Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, has accused the government of laying the ground work to sell off even more school playing fields.

It had been widely hoped that the government would use the momentum generated by the Olympic Games to build a lasting sporting legacy in the UK.

However, the Sport and Recreation Alliance has claimed that new rules on outdoor space for pupils will ease the sale of playing fields.

Mr Lamb, speaking to the Guardian, said: "Without a minimum requirement, the danger is that short-term expediency could jeopardise the ability of schools to deliver sport for future generations.

"We're confident that the Education Funding Agency understands the need to require schools to retain a minimum playing field space because the previous requirements were one of the key tools for preventing the sale of land."

The government, however, has defended its approach to school sports and recently announced that competitive team sports will soon be made a compulsory part of life for primary school children.

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