NEARLY 3,000 Borders children have learnt to swim thanks to Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming.

The Learn to Swim project has been supported by Live Borders, who have hosted swimming lessons at their six sites in the Borders, and welcomed 2,905 children to the sessions.

The initiative was created in a bid to encourage young Scots to get in the pool, with the hope that 100,000 youngsters would take to the water by the Summer.

Amanda Blacklock, Live Borders Aquatics Officer, said: "Learn to Swim is the most important activity for children in the Borders.

"We continue to work closely with Scottish Swimming to ensure the highest standard of content and delivery of the programme while making the children healthier, happier and stronger."

Learn to Swim has also received support from Olympic and Commonwealth medalist Duncan Scott.

He said: "As someone who loves beating records, it is amazing to see that the programme has not only reached its target – it has smashed it.

"Getting children into the pool so that they can have fun while learning how to stay safe is the number one priority. It would be amazing to see children become interested in taking a love for swimming further.

"Whether they simply become regulars at the pool with their friends or whether this inspires the next generation of competitive swimmers who could one day represent Scotland or GB at the Olympics, nothing but good things can come from encouraging more and more children into the water."

The Learn to Swim programme is part of Scottish Swimming’s National Framework for Swimming in Scotland.

The project aims to provide quality environments for children to learn to swim, whilst also encouraging swimming lessons to be an inclusive space, where children with disabilities can also thrive.

This initiative is being driven by Scottish Swimming's #SeeMyAbility campaign, which has invited World Para Swimming Champion, Toni Shaw, to join Duncan Scot as a project ambassador.