HUNDREDS of children descended on Barry Island to take part in a scheme aimed at ensuring they are safe when swimming in open water.

The new-to-Barry Swim Safe scheme saw more than 200 youngsters flock to Whitmore Bay for a free programme of outdoor swimming and water safety sessions for children aged seven to 14.

Sessions, in partnership between Swim Wales, the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) and the RNLI charity (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), included a land-based safety lesson with RNLI lifeguards and in-water tuition with ASA qualified swimming teachers.

Swimming teacher Zoe Holloway, 21, was inspired to help teach Swim Safe sessions by the story of her grandmother Valerie Lynn, who nearly drowned in the River Thames as an eight-year-old.

Non-swimmer Valerie, now 78, has been scared of open water for 70 years following the incident which saw her rescued by a teenager.

Zoe, a club swimming teacher and Cardiff Metropolitan University student, said: ‘There were no swimming lessons back then and my grandmother was very lucky not to have drowned. But that one incident has led to a lifetime of uncertainty around open water for her.

“That made me want to sign up as a Swim Safe teacher because these sessions are teaching kids vital skills to give them the confidence to enjoy themselves safely.”

Demand for the first Barry Swim Safe was so great extra sessions had to be laid on for parents keen to enrol their children.

Hanna Guise, of Swim Wales, said: 'It’s fantastic that we’ve had the high level of interest in Swim Safe in its first year here on Barry Island.

“Many of the children taking part will have had swimming lessons in pools, but there are all sorts of environmental factors to consider when you’re swimming outdoors and it’s important that children know how to call for help if they get into trouble.”

Nicola Davies, RNLI Community Incident Reduction Manager, added: “Working with Swim Wales and the ASA, Swim Safe is part of the RNLI’s drive to reduce the numbers of people who drown around our coastline.”

Visit www.Swimming.org/SwimSafe for details.