TWO girls spent their Easter holidays learning to swim after winning lessons in a competition.

Madeleine Morton, aged six, from Durham City and Catherine Potter, aged eight, from Bowburn, in County Durham, both won a week’s course of lessons in a competition run by Durham County Council.

Madeleine took her lessons at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre, in Durham, while Catherine went to the newly refurbished pool at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.

Catherine’s mother, Emma Potter, said: “I have four children, three of which take part in swimming lessons.

“She was so excited to have won a free place.

“The crash courses at Newton Aycliffe are excellent and the teachers are great.

“The children really get the one-to-one attention they need to bring them on and help them move to the next swimming stage.”

Crash courses in swimming are available during school holidays for £23, which includes five swimming lessons over five days.

For information, or to book a course, visit durham.gov.uk/swimming.