Swimming lessons part of water safety campaign

Pupils from Bedford Academy have been among youngsters learning to swim in a project launched by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) and Bedford Borough Council's sports development team.
Bedford Academy pupils have swimming lessons at Robinson Pool.Bedford Academy pupils have swimming lessons at Robinson Pool.
Bedford Academy pupils have swimming lessons at Robinson Pool.

BFRS wanted to raise awareness and educate young people who might be tempted to swim in open water following a number of deaths in local quaries and rivers.

The service contributed £5,000 to provide swimming lessons to students at Bedford Academy, and others where it had been identified that a large majority of young people were unable to swim.

From January 14, 20 year 8 pupils attended Robinson Pool for weekly lessons over a ten week course. BFRS community safety team also gave talks on water safety which formed part of school assemblies and was provided to the whole school.

Follow @bedsfire or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bedsfire/ or visit www.bedsfire.com for details of events and more information.