NEW rules imposed in swimming baths in the Harrogate district will prevent individual parents from taking more than one toddler into the pool with them at a time.

Health and safety rules introduced by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management states that children under the age of four should be supervised on a one-to-one basis.

A study has found that if they are not accompanied by a parent or someone over the age of 16, they present a much higher risk.

Harrogate Borough Council's leisure department has amended its policies as a result and, as from yesterday, it will no longer allow a single adult to take more than one child aged under four swimming.

"We hope families will realise the need for this new policy," said cabinet member for leisure, Councillor Pat Jones.

"While accidents in pools involving children under four are rare, national statistics tell us this age group is more likely to be injured on the pool side because they have toddled away from their parents.

"Those of us with small children know only too well you need as many arms as an octopus to get them ready before and after swimming."

However, in an attempt to side-step any backlash from single parents, the council has also announced new admission policies.

"Families swimming with children under the age of four will now qualify for the new family discounted ticket, whereby one of the adults will swim free of charge," said Coun Jones.

"This means single-parent families will not be financially penalised by having to bring an extra adult while families which already swim with two adults are not disadvantaged."

Swimming sessions have been introduced on Saturdays and Sundays at Starbeck where extra lifeguards will assist parents.