BUDDING swimmers in Blackburn and Darwen will receive top quality coaching after the council signed up to a national training programme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has again joined he Amateur Swimming Association's (ASA) National Plan for Teaching Swimming via the Aquabeez Swim Scheme.

The new five-year deal formalises an already successful relationship with the national governing body and sees them working in partnership until 2013.

The decision to use the National Plan - a template for learn to swim schemes - means the centres will use the highest quality syllabus and awards system.

The plan is a comprehensive and progressive teaching programme based upon sound technical and educational principles.

The National Plan will run alongside the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme and looks set to benefit more than 1,200 people that currently access swimming lessons across the centres - Bank Hey Pool, Waves Water Fun Centre, Daisyfield Pools and Shadsworth Leisure Centre.

The council also hopes to implement the plan at the redeveloped Darwen Leisure Centre, due to reopen in Autumn next year.

As part of the deal the centres will receive support and advice from the ASA's Business Team to develop the Aquabeez Swim Scheme further and host education courses and training for swimming teachers.

The Swim Scheme was launched in 2002 when it was awarded Aquamark accreditation - the ASA's quality seal of approval for leisure providers. Successful re-accreditation was achieved in March 2006. The Scheme has close links with swimming clubs within the borough Blackburn Centurions ASC and Darwen ASC.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Acting Swimming Development co-ordinator, Claire Birchenough, believes the new deal will particularly benefit youngsters in the community.

"The ASA's National Plan for Teaching provides a teaching framework so children can become confident all round swimmers, giving them the opportunity to acquire a wide range of aquatic skills.

"Children are encouraged to achieve by gaining the range of colourful ASA awards available from the ASA at each stage of development".

ASA Business Team manager, Mandy Mason, welcomes Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council on board.

"The ASA is committed to providing our partners with the support they need to deliver quality learn to swim programmes," she said. "We are pleased to welcome Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Aquabeez Swim Scheme and our Business Team will be working closely with them to ensure they build on their current success while using the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme."