LIFEGUARDS of the future have been left high and dry after failing to secure a winter training slot at a local swimming pool.

Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers section have been grounded due to a lack of available pool time in the area.

Now they have appealed for help in finding a suitable pool to use for an hour a week between now and March.

The club’s 38 young members are unable to join their older colleagues because the only time available to them is 8.30-9.15pm at Bournemouth Collegiate School – too late for children as young as seven on a school night.

The club has more than 100 members in total, 39 Nippers, and more than 20 youngsters on a waiting list.

Club spokeswoman Gwyn Scott said: “A number of pools in the area have closed, making it difficult to find a pool to hire.

“The big leisure centres are reluctant to give regular times to other clubs so we’re hoping to find a hotel or other similar business willing to hire out their pool for an hour a week.

“During the summer we go to the beach so we would only need a pool until March – it may be that some hotels with pools may be able to help us if they are quieter in the winter.”

Many former Nippers are now RNLI lifeguards, keeping residents and visitors safe on local beaches.

Anyone who thinks they can help should call Gwyn on 01202 431475 or email <&bh"mailto:mail@southbourne.org.uk">mail@southbourne.org.uk<&eh>