CHILDREN are being offered seven days of free swimming ahead of lessons due to start in the New Year.

Peterlee Leisure Centre is offering children a pass to encourage them to give swimming a go before committing to a 16-week course due to start on January 6.

Swimming lessons will be held every day of the week at convenient times for busy parents, all supervised by qualified swimming teachers.

Malcolm Grinstead, contract manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, said: "Every year, children and adults put themselves at risk because they have never taken the time to learn how to swim.

"New Year’s resolutions are great but sometimes they don’t deliver, but we are sure learning to swim will be a resolution that people will stick with and hope children take advantage of the free seven day pass."

For more details, visit the centre or call Malcolm Grinstead on 0191 5862400.