Western Swimming Pool has launched a Peel Seal card scheme to support and encourage children in the west of the island to swim.

The cards will allow youngsters to swim for free during any public session at the Western Swimming Pool as long as they are accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 16.

Initially these cards will be open to children that use the pool for their school swimming lessons - Peel Clothworkers, Bunscoill Ghaelgah, St John’s, Foxdale, Marown and Kirk Michael.

The scheme is open to children that are currently in reception, years 1,2 and 3 even if they don’t currently do school swimming.

All schools will receive their Peel Seal Card in early September. The scheme will run up for one year up to September 2018.

Accompanying adults will need to pay the normal entry fee for themselves but they can use the pools with two children under the age of eight.

Pool board chairman Benjamin Heath said: ’We are delighted with this initiative. Not only has it been great joint collaborative working with the five local authorities but it means we are encouraging young children to get fit and exercise.’