A NUMBER of Herefordshire children are no longer in the swim since their lessons at the LEA pool, in Hollybush Lane, stopped at Christmas.

Parents are concerned that there is no sign of lessons starting again, in spite of the teachers expressing their willingness to start them.

One mum, whose daughter is missing her lessons, has tried to sign her up elsewhere, with no success.

"Hereford Leisure Pool's lessons are chock-a-block and over-subscribed, so unless we go to Ross or Leominster my daughter won't continue to learn to swim," says Joanne Woodward.

"This is a city with a river flowing right through the centre and children are constantly warned to take care. They need to be able to swim."

Michael Griffin, building projects manager, said: "Herefordshire Council acknowledges the importance of swimming lessons to the county's youngsters and is making every attempt to reinstate evening lessons at its LEA pool.

"The authority was forced to postpone the lessons after a staffing shortage, as a result of which it reviewed the pool's organisation during the spring and summer terms and had no choice but to suspend evening lessons."

A lifeguard has yet to be recruited, but Mr Griffin said an advert for the position was about to go out again.