Richard Nunn, 19, from Millfield, Sunderland, and Adam Miller, 18, of High Barnes effortlessly glide through the air in perfect synchronisation.

Just metres from the Wear, they are taking part in an extreme sport designed for inner-city spaces – free running

Free running has its origins in France, where "parkour" was developed as a way of moving quickly across urban areas.

And it has now made its way into TV shows, video games and films – including a breathtaking chase sequence in the recent James Bond film Casino Royale.

Richard and Adam became free running fans after seeing a documentary called Jump London which showed parkour being performed on London landmarks.

Along with a group of friends from Thornhill School, they began to develop the skills need for the backflips, spins and climbs which make up the sport.

Two years on, just Richard and Adam are left, devoting hours to perfecting their moves onto the safety of crash mats at a local gym.

Once they are confident they have the tricks in the bag, Richard and Adam set out onto the streets of Sunderland.

Adam, who is studying sports and exercise at Northumbria University in Newcastle, said: "Everything we do, we do in the gym first so we know what we are doing out on the streets."

Richard, also a student, jokes: "We just do it really for fun, but some freerunners get sponsorship. I would love to be a stuntman though, so if anyone would like to offer me some work, that would be great."

Fans can catch their antics in a short documentary made by a group of young film makers from Sunderland University.

Marc Sheriff, 22, of Seaham, put together a showcase of the two free runners as a project for his video production course.

With fast-paced editing and a high-energy soundtrack, the video, titled Jump, sees the pair performing their stunts in Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle.

Although free running may not high profile of sports, it has gained a cult status, appearing in several films by legendary French director Luc Besson, of Fifth Element fame.

Madonna has even taken up the art, showing it's not just for the kids, as she performs free running moves in the video for single Jump.