A "culture change" is needed to encourage more youngsters to regularly pack up their kids' swimwear and hit the pool.

According to Olympic gold medal winner Duncan Goodhew, there should be a minimum expected standard for all British children when it comes to swimming.

He told the Aberdeen Press and Journal it is a "disgrace" that many youngsters cannot swim, due to a lack of facilities or opportunities.

Goodhew underlined how regularly taking kids' swimwear to the pool helps to teach an important life skill.

He said there needs to be better access to 50m pools to allow the country to unearth the stars of the future.

"If we can set a minimum requirement for reading then surely there should be one for swimming," the Olympian remarked.

The star, who competed for Britain at the 1980 Games in Moscow, is backing a scheme being run by British Gas to offer a free swim for families.

More than 1,100 pools across the UK are taking part in the programme.

Posted by Ed SaltersADNFCR-3005-ID-19797563-ADNFCR