Swim therapy sessions have been held in Bath to improve the confidence and mobility of disabled children.

More than 50 families with children aged from nine months to 17 took part in the sessions at Three Ways School hydrotherapy pool during the summer holidays.

They were funded by a Lottery grant and run by physiotherapist Pamela Galloway. The aim was to improve children's confidence and teach them to swim in a relaxing, safe environment.

Younger children were able to work with their parents and receive therapeutic benefit from the support the water gives, while older youngsters were able to experience the freedom of learning new swimming skills.

Pamela said: "So many of the children have made amazing progress and it has also been gratifying teaching the parents how they can help their children in the water so they benefit therapeutically as well as enjoy their time in the water together.

"Learning to become water confident and being able to swim, whatever their level of disability, is such an important life skill for these children and gives them such a wonderful sense of freedom.

"I look forward to continuing this work in other school holidays and would love to hear from any families with disabled children who missed out this time round."

For more information about future sessions contact Pamela on 01225 337555 or email

contact@physaqua.co.uk

.

Meanwhile, staff at Bath sports centre are celebrating after raising the most amount of money in the South West from a series of sponsored swim events.

Bath Sports and Leisure Centre in North Parade, which was one of 500 participating pools in the Swimathon event in the UK, raised £7,315 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Manager of Bath's centre Jason Curtis thanked all the staff and customers who made the achievement possible.

"Swimathon is a really fun event to organise and it brings out a fantastic community spirit at the pool," he said.

April's event also involved Culverhay Sports Centre, Keynsham Leisure Centre and South Wansdyke Sports Centre.

● Dorothy House supporter Laura Harrison, who works for communications firm Top Banana Team in Frome, will be swimming a mile across Lake Windermere on Sunday to raise money for the hospice charity.

Her justgiving website is

www.justgiving.com/Laura- swimmer-Harrison

.