CHILDREN will die if swimming lesson funding is cut, councillors and swimming coaches have warned County Hall bosses.

Education chiefs want to cut the swimming provision for youngsters from six terms to three. They say they can only afford to provide this reduced service.

And 42 jobs could go if the swingeing proposals go ahead.

Their plans follow a government directive which demanded that schools fund the swimming lessons themselves - leaving many schools with a struggle to balance their books.

Schools will have to pay a fixed price for tuition and pool hire from September but, for the first time, will have to cover transport costs for themselves.

Teaching Union the NASUWT claims the situation will lead to all 42 swimming teachers being made redundant.

Dick Greenfield, NASUWT national executive member for Lancashire, said: "Cuts of this nature cannot be condoned.

"These teachers have maintained a fine service to Lancashire children, learning to swim competently is a vital requirement of the National Curriculum. This training is now at risk." Colin Barton, a former Preston councillor and trained volunteer swimming coach at several local primary schools, said the children would miss out on a vital life skill.

He said: "I am very disappointed. It can take children four or five terms to learn to swim properly.

"They need to be competent in the water and feel safe around it."

Conservative county councillors claim the plans will result in fatalities in communities based near to the sea, canals, rivers and lakes.

Lancashire County Council said no final decision had been made.

A spokesman said: "The review will have implications for both the operations of county council swimming pools and employment in this service.

"Consultations are being held with staff and their union representatives."

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