A group of children from Richmond have been wearing their pyjamas during their swimming lessons to support ‘Learn to swim week’.

Launched by the Swimming Teachers Association to encourage people to learn to swim, Puddle Ducks swimming club, in Strathmore school, held a week long Pyjama event, June 10 -16.

A recent study on behalf of the Chief Fire Officers Association identified that 44 per cent of people who drown had no intention of entering the water in the first place suggesting they weren’t taking part in a water based activity, and were fully clothed at the time.

Cathy and Peter Weller, teachers at Puddle Ducks said: “The STA is a leading UK charity dedicated to the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and survival techniques.

“Here at Puddle Ducks we understand how fantastic swimming is and how important it is to swim safely.

“During our PJ Week parents and children wear pyjamas during lessons which provides a good indication of what it would be like to be fully clothed in the water, should they ever be in that situation."

Puddle Ducks, taught by experts, provides award-winning swimming programmes for 0-10 year-olds and focus on teaching independent swimming in a nurturing environment with individually tailored activities to suit all abilities.

For more information on the classes available at Puddle Ducksvisit www.puddleducks.com/local-teams/south-west-london.