CHILDREN in Kidderminster learned about water safety at a free event organised by Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre.

Thirty participants were taught about the dangers of playing by or in water and how to avoid accidents at the Get Safe educational initiative, which took place on Sunday.

Jenny Evans, swimming co-ordinator at the leisure centre, said: “We know how important it is to stay safe while having fun in and around water, especially with the summer school holidays coming up.

“Get Safe is a campaign aimed at providing young people with the basic knowledge of how to assist in the event of an emergency.”

Conservative councillor John Hart, of Wyre Forest District Council, has also backed the programme.

He said: “Anything we can do to enable children to swim in a safe environment will, hopefully, prevent a tragic loss of life.

“It is great that Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre has offered this opportunity to our local children and I am pleased it was very well attended.”

The scheme, which will also be delivered at Stourport Sports Centre, has been deemed such as a success it will be repeated next year.

Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre, on Bromsgrove Street in Kidderminster, has a pool, gym and sports hall and is managed by Places for People in partnership with the district council.