A THIRD of parents in Bournemouth said their children have got into trouble in the sea, according to worrying new statistics published today.

The study also revealed a fifth of parents in the town don't think it's their responsibility to keep their children safe in open water and 16 per cent admitted they can't swim.

The figures were revealed as the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and the RNLI launched Swim Safe 2015, their open water safety initiative at Boscombe beach.

Local school children swam with British Olympic Open Water medallist Cassie Patten early this morning before the official launch.

The joint ASA and RNLI study also revealed that 21 per cent of parents in Bournemouth don't believe that cold water affects a person's ability to swim.

More than half believe that if their child can swim in a pool, they can swim in the sea.

Now in its third year, Swim Safe gives young people aged between seven and 14 the opportunity to learn about the differences between swimming in a pool and the challenges of swimming in an open water environment.

Jon Glenn, Head of Learn to Swim at the ASA, said: "Swimming in the sea or in lakes is great fun, especially when you are on your summer holidays, but it is also a lot different to swimming in a pool.

"Open water can be very unpredictable; even calm, shallow waters can quickly become dangerous, so it is essential that both children and parents know how to stay safe.

"The findings from our survey show that while many parents are very knowledgeable about the potential risks, there is still a lack of awareness about how water temperature can impact on a young person’s swimming ability. The results also showed that parents don’t always supervise their children, which is a particular worry."

Pip Hare, RNLI Coastal Safety Manager, added: "Combining the water safety knowledge of RNLI lifeguards with the expertise of ASA swimming teachers allows us to provide children with the skills and knowledge they need to keep safe in open water. "

Since Swim Safe launched in 2013, more than 6,000 children have taken part in the free programme, with 1,071 taking part in Boscombe in 2014. This year the programme has expanded to six locations, with space for up to 12,500 young people to participate and gain valuable open water safety advice and experience.

The free 40-minute sessions take place during the school summer holidays at Boscombe Coastal Activity Park between July 25 and August 13. Other locations are Brockhole in the Lake District, Bude Sea Pool in Cornwall, Sandhaven in South Shields, and for the first time this year, in Jersey and on the Isle of Man.

Percentages for Bournemouth with national figures in brackets:

33% of parents who said their child had got into trouble in open water (19%)

6% of those who said it was a serious incident (40%)

19% of those don't think it's their responsibility (13%)

21% of those who think cold water makes a difference (26%)

56% of those think pool swimmers are safe in the sea (43%)

6% of those who don't always supervise their child (9%)

11% of those think it's a lifeguard's job to keep their children safe 11 (9%)

16% of parents can't swim  (11%)