MORE swimming teachers are needed to cope with growing demand for lessons.

Better, which runs three swimming pools in Swindon, says it has put on a fifth more swimming lessons.

The firm has launched a campaign aiming to get more people to train as swimming teachers.

Melanie Silverman, employment brand manager at GLL said: “We’re particularly keen to raise awareness amongst people who may not have previously considered becoming swimming teachers.

"It is the ideal job for those looking for flexible working, for example parents who want to fit working hours around the school day, or the active retired, who perhaps want to supplement a pension.”

Research by the Swimming Teachers Association suggests that most pools find it hard to recruit enough swimming teachers to meet demand. Two thirds of pools asked for a recent poll said they had a waiting list for lessons.

Dave Candler, chief executive of the Swimming Teachers Association, said: “As an industry we have a big job to do in attracting new people to become qualified. Swimming is the only activity that can save a person’s life, so lots more needs to be done to address these serious recruitment issues.

"As an educational charity dedicated to saving lives, we are working with both large and small swim school operators in the private and public sector to create positive and practical solutions.”

Qualifying as a swimming teacher takes five days. Qualified teachers can expect to earn up to £16.56 an hour, Better said.

For more, visit: www.gllcollege.co.uk/swimmingteachers.