A free swimming programme has been launched for Naval families in Helensburgh.

Swim Free, a collaborative effort between Greenwich Hospital and the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF), will provide children and young people from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families free swimming lessons.

It aims to help them develop and grow confidence in the water, and develop swimming skills for life and potential career opportunities in the future.

Deirdre Mills, director of Greenwich, said: "Our vision is to enable children and young people from the Naval community to have access, without barriers, to additional swimming lessons, providing them with the opportunity to become confident swimmers throughout their lives.

"We want to create pathways for further opportunities in and around the water for all Naval families."

The programme will also enable young people to develop a connection with water while increasing their confidence and self-belief.

For those interested in Swim Free, go to swim-free.org.uk to register.

Swim Free will first be first launched in Helensburgh, Portsmouth, and Plymouth with plans to spread a wide net of swimming locations nationwide.

Family swimming sessions and other water-based activities will be a part of this scheme.

It will also work with local swimming facilities to assist families who may have difficulty accessing them.

Richard Percy, chief executive officer of the Andrew Simpson Foundation, said: "The ASF is delighted to partner with Greenwich Hospital to develop and deliver the Swim Free programme.

"Through Swim Free, we hope to reframe the challenges that young people from Naval families may face by providing access to the benefits of a physical education through enriching experiences and setting young people up with swimming skills for life."