A KIDDERMINSTER woman has proved you are never too old to learn how to swim by enrolling for lessons – at the age of 80!

Barbara Withwood has signed up for Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre’s Swim 4 Health lessons having plucked up the courage to learn.

She put her new found confidence to the teaching skills of Vanessa Babbington - her instructor at Glades.

Barbara said: “I’ve had lessons in the past but with little success. But these are the best swimming lessons I’ve ever had.

“With the help of Vanessa, I have gained the confidence I needed to learn to swim.”

Another of Vanessa’s pupils, mother-of-three Gemma Prescott, said she too wanted to gain more confidence in the water so that she could take her children swimming and inspire them to learn themselves.

She said: “Even though I’ve only had two lessons so far, I can already feel and see a difference in my ability. Vanessa is patient and very inspirational.”

For more information about Swim 4 Health lessons people can contact the Reception desk at the Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre on 01562 515151.

Alternatively people can email Jenny Evans, Swimming Co-ordinator, at jennyevans@pfpleisure.org.