South Lanarkshire Leisure is launching the Extended Swimming Development Programme at two of its swimming pool centres on 27 February to help meet the high demand for swimming lessons in the area.

The leisure trust operates nine swimming pools, but the scheme will initially be launched at two of the busiest centres, Dollon Aqua Centre in East Kilbride and Hamilton Water Palace in Hamilton.

Andy Figgins, sports development manager for South Lanarkshire Leisure said: “Our key objectives in launching the Extended Swimming Development Programme are to reduce waiting lists – particularly on the beginner’s level swimming lessons – to satisfy and meet our customer demands.

“By delivering swimming lessons we hope people will be able to enjoy this valuable life skill and that children in particular will go on to take part in our other aquatic programmes such as Rookie Lifeguard or aquatic activities at the James Hamilton Heritage Park, like windsurfing.”

South Lanarkshire Leisure anticipates that the change will allow it to extend the group lessons on the Swim Safe Scheme, in which the Swimming Development Team aims to teach every primary school child in South Lanarkshire to swim at least 15 m before they go to high school.