LIFESAVERS have been given a boost with a three-year sponsorship deal which will be matched by Sportswatch Cymru.

The Surf Lifesaving Association of Wales, which operates around the Barry coastline and other areas, has been given a three-year sponsorship deal with Ornamental Iron of 750 a year.

Sports Council for Wales has matched the 750 deal in its first year pound for pound, through the Sportsmatch Cymru scheme.

Funding will be ploughed into swimming pool hire, team kit, and coach education and means the Association is now able to set up new junior and senior teams.

Treasurer of the group Paul Scarborough, from Barry is delighted with the money.

He said: "The Surf Lifesaving Association of Wales he been going since the early 1960s and many of the lifesavers have other members of their families involved.

"There are swimmers as young as seven - and many continue until they are in their late 50s.

"We can now put on events and compete in the yearly competition held for lifeguards in Swansea."

The cash injection offers an added boost to the sport of stillwater lifesaving, which has seen an increase in numbers taking part in recent years.

Members of the club can now look forward to experiencing competition at the highest level and be part of a team that moves the sport up a level.