A rotary club has pledged financial support to keep local pools open amid concerns children are not learning to swim.

Minehead Rotary Club (MRC) agreed to donate £500 each to St Michael's in Minehead, and Knights Templar in Watchet, to help them stay in operation.

The decision follows the revelation that many schools were not prioritising swimming lessons, despite it being part of the national curriculum.

MRC expressed alarm that many children aged between five and 11 were not being taught to swim at school.

Knights Templar in WatchetKnights Templar in Watchet (Image: Minehead Rotary Club)

The pools had been seeking financial assistance to remain open.

The club intends to collaborate with both pools to boost the number of young children receiving swimming lessons, recognising the importance of the skill in a coastal region.

This initiative will be one of many youth programmes the rotary club will promote in Somerset.