SWIMMING in your local pool is even safer now after Live Borders lifeguards returned to the classroom.

A total of 107 lifeguards from the charity's six swimming pools spent two days with the renowned associate consultant Andy Ebben BEM.

The training sessions are seen as key to the professional development of the staff from Peebles, Galashiels, Kelso, Eyemouth, Hawick and Selkirk swimming pools.

Mr Ebben, who works for Quality Leisure Management, told us: "I was delighted to be invited to run two training workshops for Live Borders.

“This programme was Live Borders going above and beyond by taking swimming pool safety seriously to ensure that the staff are the best they can be.

“We provided training for lifeguards and this will have contributed to their continuing development as qualified aquatic professionals.

“As professionally trained lifeguards we looked at real accidents and incidents, at Quality Leisure Management our knowledge has improved and we are passing on these things so that staff are more aware of the things that could go wrong and what these things look like.”

The sessions took place last Monday and Tuesday at the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels.

Ben Lamb, director of operations at Live Borders, said: "The safety of our customers is paramount so taking these extra steps to ensure our staff are trained to the highest level is very important to us.

“We are very fortunate to have a person of Andy’s knowledge and experience to deliver these sessions as we continue to ensure the community can become healthier, happier and stronger in the safest possible environment.”