WEST FIFE youngsters have been making a splash in the pool as swimming lessons return.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust (FSTL) has been able to welcome back more than 6,000 children to the national Learn to Swim programme.

FSTL were able to open their doors last Monday for lessons, the first in the area since pools had to close in December following an initial re-opening in October at the end of the first national lockdown.

Lee Cunningham, aquatics manager, said: “We are in a great position to welcome participants of the Learn to Swim programme back to our pools – we have the highest levels of health and safety protocols in place and experience implementing them.

“Throughout lockdown, we have been engaging with participants and keeping them up to date with the expected timetable for restarting lessons in line with Scottish Government guidelines.

"Our teams can’t wait to see youngsters get back into the water and progress their swimming skills.”

Tried and tested safety measures are in place, including social-distancing, additional hygiene procedures, instructors teaching from poolside and children arriving to lessons ‘beach ready’ with their swimming costumes on under clothing.

Around 85 per cent of the 39 Learn to Swim framework providers are set to resume their programmes over the coming weeks, with the majority opening one or two pools in April.

The Learn to Swim partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water was extended for a fourth year in 2020 following its success in creating a 100,000-strong new generation of safe swimmers.

More information on the Learn to Swim framework can be found at www.learntoswim.scot