THE Cowdenbeath Area Committee today (Wednesday) is set to approve an extension of the free swimming lessons scheme for children which has proved so successful.

A pilot has been underway in the Lochgelly and Cardenden area over the last year, and has been hailed as a success.

Councillor Alex Campbell, who has backed the scheme from the start, explained: "We have taken the lessons learned from the Lochgelly and Cardenden pilot and plan to role out a new scheme across the whole Cowdenbeath area for this year's primary one pupils."

Mr Campbell continued: "We want to make sure that every child in the Cowdenbeath Area gets the chance to learn to the swim.

"Making sure our young people can swim gives them a life skill that will keep them active for their whole life. It also ensures that they are safe around water.

"I will be supporting this scheme when it comes to the Area Committee this week and hope to see kids across the Cowdenbeath Area in swimming lessons this summer."

The swimming lessons follow the council's continued commitment to free summer swimming across Fife.

Councillor Campbell added: "We once again made sure that the popular free summer swim scheme will continue this year along with the weekend quid-a-kid scheme. We have made sure that kids in Fife get the chance to get active and enjoy the facilities in our area."