A leisure centre operator is providing free open swimming sessions for all primary school children as part of Drowning Prevention Week.

Drowning Prevention Week, which takes place from June 14 to June 24, aims to reduce the 700 people who drown every year in the UK and Ireland.

This year, Everyone Active is working with Harrow Council to provide the free public swimming sessions at Harrow Leisure Centre and Hatch End swimming pool.

The free sessions will run from June 17 to 21. 

The centre is also delivering the Swim England and Royal National Lifeboat Institution ‘swim safe’ module to all children attending school swimming during the week.

John Sewell, Everyone Active’s contract manager for Harrow Council, said: “Everyone Active is committed to helping young people learn this life-saving skill in a fun and safe environment.

“We want to help children increase their confidence in around water, and ensure they are equipped with the correct skills to keep themselves, and others safe should they find themselves in a difficult situation in the water.”

Free open swimming sessions must be booked via the reception or phoning the centre due to limited slots.