FREE lessons on personal survival will be given to young swimmers at St Austell Leisure Centre on Sunday, June 23.

The lessons tie in with National Drowning Prevention Week which is run by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).

Better leisure centres throughout Cornwall are backing efforts to help children stay safe and enjoy the water this summer. The nine centres are run by not-for-profit social enterprise GLL on behalf of Cornwall Council.

The centres are incorporating RLSS UK advice and guidance in all swim school lessons, as well as prominently displaying relevant material and using fun activity sheets to emphasise the learning. During the summer holidays, each of the centres will also be offering free water safety workshops.

On Sunday, at St Austell Leisure Centre, free lessons on personal survival will be given by swim teacher Alys Pink from 10am to 11am (age eight-plus) and 11am to noon (age six to eight years). Free rookie taster sessions will also be held at the centre from 1pm to 2pm (age eight-plus) and 2pm to 3pm (age eight-plus).

GLL area swim lead Natallie Carter said: “Lifesaving and rescue skills are an important part of our learn to swim programme.”