Children are learning water safety skills for free this week.

Swim England and the RNLI’s Swim Safe programme has returned to Fenella Beach in Peel.

The hour-long sessions teach young people how to swim safely outdoors and what to do if they, or someone else, get into difficulty in the water.

Swim England and the RNLI are working with Peel RNLI to run free sessions from Monday. July 29, to Friday, August 2.

Parents and carers can book their child’s free place now at https://swimsafe.org.uk/locations/isleofman

To take part, children must be aged between seven and 14 and able to swim 25 metres unaided.

The sessions are run by qualified swimming instructors and lifeguards, supported by a team of volunteers and give children:

Up to 30 minutes of practical, in-water tuition led by qualified instructors

Essential open water safety advice

A free Swim Safe goodie bag take home

All the kit needed to take part, including wetsuits, swim hats and flotation equipment, is provided for each child during the sessions. Children only need to bring their swim suit and a towel.

Coordinator Dawn Marshal said: ’Children love swimming outdoors, but it’s very different to swimming in a pool, where most children learn to swim.

’It’s essential children learn about open water safety - where it is safe to swim, how to stay safe and what to do if they get into difficulty in the water.

’We want all children to have access to this training, so all Swim Safe sessions are funded by the RNLI and Swim England partnership and so are completely free of charge.’

For more information about Swim Safe, visit swimsafe.org.uk