Children who regularly put on their kids' swimwear and hit the pool could one day be competing at the Olympics.

This was the message from former Olympian Mark Foster, who visited a teaching pool at Plymstock School in Plymouth, according to the Herald.

He held a lesson for youngsters as part of the Pools 4 Schools campaign, which is geared towards helping give kids access to swimming.

Schools without existing facilities are able to take advantage of a touring temporary pool under the programme.

Commending the scheme, Foster suggested the next Rebecca Adlington - Britain's 2008 Olympics gold medal hero - could be swimming in a pool in Plymouth.

"The children here are learning both health and safety benefits, in parallel with social interaction and the enjoyment that can be experienced from swimming," he remarked.

Partnership development manager of the Plymstock School Sport Partnership Rob Wright added that swimming schemes can "change the lives" of local youngsters.

Posted by Michael StevensonADNFCR-3005-ID-19688583-ADNFCR