PEOPLE in Tenbury and the Teme Valley are being encouraged to learn to swim.

Tenbury Swimming Pool, which is operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Tenbury Community Pool LTD, is encouraging local people to swim more and with better technique by offering a free swimming assessment to everyone who signs up to a swim membership in March.

New members can make the most of their swimming membership thanks to expert swimming coordinators from Tenbury Swimming Pool delivering a free 15-minute swimming assessment.

The assessments will focus on making small improvements to help people make their strokes more efficient. They will also be offering advice on training schedules to encourage a regular swimming programme and guidance to help swimmers achieve their goals.

“Swimming is a fantastic way to keep fit as a gentle swim can burn over 200 calories in just half an hour,” said Freedom Leisure Centre Manager Robert Tyler.

“For youngsters especially it is an important life skill and potentially lifesaving skill to learn, while also being a fun way to keep active.

"Meanwhile, many older people enjoy swimming as it is kind to their joints while being an excellent form of exercise. We hope to see plenty of new members take the plunge, take up the offer and make the most of our pool.”

The complimentary assessments will be available up until the end of March and need to be booked in advanced.