PARENTS are being urged to sign their children up for one of the Swim Safe sessions, which will be returning to Sandbanks at half-term.

The initiative, created by Swim England and the RNLI, teaches young people, aged 7-14, vital water safety skills for free.

During the one-hour sessions, qualified instructors also show youngsters what to do if they, or someone else, gets into difficulty in the water.

This year, Swim England and the RNLI have partnered with The Watersports Academy to run the sessions at Sandbanks Beach, Poole.

Sophie Eaton, Swim Safe coordinator at The Watersports Academy, said: "Children love swimming outdoors, but it is very different to swimming in a pool, where most children learn to swim.

"It is essential that children learn where it is safe to swim, how to stay safe and what to do if they get into trouble.

"We want all children to have access to this training, and our partnership with the RNLI and Swim England enables us to run these sessions for free.

"They are also a chance for parents and carers to get advice on helping their children stay safe around open water."

Sessions begin with children receiving water safety advice on land, before heading into the water for practical tuition.

Children only need to bring their swim suit and a towel, as all the kit to take part – including wetsuits, swim hats and flotation equipment – is provided.

Booking is essential. Visit swimsafe.org.uk/locations/poole for further information.

Children must be aged between 7-14 and able to swim 25 metres unaided to take part.

Further Swim Safe sessions at Sandbanks will be added for the summer holidays.

Swim England and the RNLI created Swim Safe in 2013 with a single activity at Bude in Cornwall. In 2019, Swim Safe will be running at 36 beach and inland water locations across England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.