A new product has been launched to help introduce young children and babies to swimming, using songs to help them develop greater confidence in the water.

Swim a Song™ was developed by Total Swimming, which was founded by Olympic swimmer Steve Parry, and Swim Supreme.

It uses instantly recognisable nursery rhymes and songs and, by changing the lyrics, creates a fun programme of movement and actions working with the music.

The programme is already being used at leisure centres across the UK, but the Swim A Song™ Parent Pack is now available for parents to help children at bath time.

Parry said: "The first step on the ladder is water confidence and being comfortable moving, splashing and blowing bubbles. I know this sounds like a lot of fun but there really is a whole host of benefits.

"Swim a Song™ opens the door to enjoying aquatics as early as four months. Who would have thought that we are delivering the starting point for a life skill as early as this?"