Efforts are being made to encourage more youngsters to take the plunge and learn how to swim.

Free lessons are available as part of the Learn to Swim programme, which is run as a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water and delivered by council chiefs and the local leisure trust.

The aim is to help children of all ages and abilities become confident, safer and competent swimmers.

Brian Lironi, director of corporate affairs at Scottish Water, said it is important that youngsters recognise swimming as a vital skill that, one day, could save their life.

He added: “In Scotland, we’re surrounded by so much water, making it essential to learn to swim from a young age.”

The Learn to Swim programme is aimed at youngsters from birth up to 11 years.

So far, more than 100,000 children across Scotland have taken part, with organisers targeting another 100,000 by 2025 in a bid to create a new generation of safer and confident swimmers.

For more information, go online at https://learntoswim.scot.