PARENTS in Birkenhead are being encouraged to take to the swimming pool with their young children as part of a campaign to raise water safety awareness.

The town's appropriately named Water Street Clinic run parent and toddler swimming classes at nearby Guinea Gap Baths.

The parents are also given talks by health visitors on child safety and parenting issues.

Children - their ages range from eight months to one year - have all passed the first stage of the 'Teddy Bear' swimming awards.

Victoria Woolman, who attends the classes with her one-year-old son, Harry, explained: "It is becoming more common to start introducing children to water at a younger age, so they can overcome any fears and start to swim earlier."

The Child Accident Prevention Trust recommends that parents teach their children to swim before the age of five.

Water Street Clinic also hope that the classes will encourage parents to take time to relax by using local leisure facilities.

Cindy explained: "We want to promote the mental health of parents. If Mum is less stressed then she can watch out for potential accidents."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.