LITTLE children got a 'once-in-a-lifetime' chance to race against Olympic athletes as part of a special event in Ferndown this afternoon.

Adam Whitehead, former European and Commonwealth fast swimming champion, Katie Skelton, a member of Team GB synchronised swimming team in 2012, and water polo Olympian, Craig Figes, shared their knowledge with the next generation of sporting stars at Ferndown Leisure Centre.

It was organised as part of a Zoggs Oceans of Fun Day which offers children the chance to experience some of the aquatic sports featured in the Olympics and meet some of the stars who took part.

Jason Knight, assistant manager of Ferndown Leisure Centre, said: "For us, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some Olympic athletes to come to Ferndown.

"The pool was divided up into five lanes so that the children can have a go at fast swimming, water polo,synchro, rookie lifesaving and CPR.

"It was an opportunity to have a go at all five activities and race with the Olympians."

He said that the event was aimed at children aged between seven and 14 and after the invitation for the event went out to local schools, around 150 children attended to meet their heroes.

"Some of the children there had come through the swim clubs, some from our own swim programme and what is nice is that a low of children have come along who are new to the centre."

Zoggs teamed up with Total Swimming, an organisation founded by Olympic swimmers, Steve Parry and Adrian Turner, to offer the event, which is one of around 50 taking place in 2015/16. Each Oceans of Fun Day aims to be fun while teaching safety in and around the water and encouraging more children to adopt a healthy lifestyle through a range of games and activities.

At the end of the day, each child went home with a certificate and medal to celebrate their participation in the event.