SURE Start and Pendle Leisure Trust are running free parent and toddler swimming sessions at Pendle Leisure Centre, Colne, on Thursday mornings.

The scheme is initially for 26 weeks and is aimed at nurseries, pre-schools and toddler groups in the Waterbridge area.

Clive Acraman, Sure Start Waterbridge programme manager said: "We felt it was important to give young children and parents access to leisure facilities, particularly swimming facilities, in order to encourage more children to feel safe and confident in the water"

After swimming, the children can listen to stories and interact with each other.

Sessions are every Thursday morning until May15 2003, at 10am for the swimming lessons and at 10.30am for the story session.