More than 70 per cent of children are being taken out of swimming lessons before they can swim competently according to new Swim England research.

The organisation has expressed concern that the lives of many young people are being put at risk from being withdrawn from swimming lessons before mastering all of the four key competencies: to safely swim 100 metres, tread water for 60 seconds, float for 30 seconds and swim in clothing.

According to the parents who were surveyed, the majority believed the safest distance a child needs to be able to swim is between five and 20 metres.

As a result, Swim England and leading leisure operators have launched a new wave of the #LoveSwimming campaign, which aims to inspire and educate more people on the importance of children being competent swimmers and what water safety looks like.

Andy Salmon, Swim England’s CEO, says: “It is vital we ensure our children are staying in lessons to keep them safe and also to allow them to have great experiences in the water, which are so valuable.

“We understand there are lots of pressures on parents’ finances at the moment, but it is a concern that so many children are being taken out of swimming lessons before they can achieve the four key competencies.

“I hope through the launch of this wave of #LoveSwimming and this new research that we can educate parents on what children should be capable of in the water and keep children in lessons.”

Love Swimming is a national campaign delivered by Swim England in partnership with eight funding partners, including BH Live Active, Everyone Active, Freedom Leisure, GLL, Parkwood Leisure, Places Leisure, Serco and Wiltshire Council.