THERE are more people than ever taking up swimming lessons with the South West’s leading leisure provider 1610 – including the Holsworthy Pool.

1610 have been running a campaign called ‘1610 reasons to swim’ to promote the key benefits of swimming on health.

As a result there has been a 13 per cent increase in the number of children and adults who have enrolled for its ‘learn to swim’ programme during the past year.

1610 delivers swimming lessons to more than 3,000 people a week, most of which are children, across their six swimming pool in Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

In 2015, 75 people from the Holsworthy area enrolled for swimming lessons with 1610 at their Holsworthy Pool.

The demand for swimming lessons with 1610 is at an all time high and as a way of encouraging further participation and learning, the leisure trust are offering free swimming sessions for children during public swimming time for those who sign up for swimming lessons.

1610 Swim and Sports Development Manager, Ricky Hayes, said that 1610 have been working hard to encourage a new generation of swimmers: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of our swimming lessons programme across our sites.

“We have been working hard to promote lessons especially for children with a new incentive of free public swimming for children who take up lessons.

“Although there was a slight decline in numbers at two Devon pools 1610 has been investing in new equipment and services to further improve the take up of lessons and quality of swimming that we offer.

“Swimming is one of the best sports to take up in terms of fitness and enjoyment, it’s a lifelong skill that could one day save your life, a message which we are actively promoting to the next generation of swimmers.”

To find out more about swimming lessons and opportunities available with 1610 visit their website www.1610.org.uk