Fife Council has become the first local authority in Britain to be recognised as an accredited training centre for the National Beach Lifeguard Programme.

The two-week Foundation training programme has been developed by Lifesavers, The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). The award, presented by the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards (IQL), is valid for two years.

Cllr Jim Brennan, Fife Council's spokesperson for the arts and leisure, says one of the main criteria for a Blue Flag beach is to have a lifeguard patrol: There will continue to be an on-going demand for staff training every year and as more of our beaches are brought up to Blue Flag standard the numbers requiring training will increase.

The training is not confined to Fife, says Cllr Brennan: 'We will also be able to offer our expertise and skills to other local authorities and organisations.

The IQL says venues wishing to train lifeguards need to become Approved Training Centres, independent external verifiers. Details: Robbie Blyth +44 (0)1592 415884