A YEAR ago, Matthew Stanley was scared to get his face wet -now he is Britain's youngest lifeguard.

The 16-year-old could not swim and had a phobia about having his head submerged in water.

However, he set out to conquer his fears and signed up for swimming lessons.

Under guidance from staff at his local leisure centre, he started by splashing water on his face.

After a couple of lessons, he took the plunge and put his head under -then there was no stopping him.

Matthew has now passed the national pool lifeguard qualification and is the youngest serving lifeguard in the country.

The qualification can only be gained at the age of 16, and Matthew passed his the day after his 16th birthday.

Matthew, of Amble, Northumberland, said: "At first, I could not even put my head under the water.

"It was just something I was scared of, but then I thought 'right, I'm going to do this'.

"I was really determined I was going to put it behind me and I started going to the centre every day to go in the pool.

"It was only last December that I could not swim, but I taught myself the basics and I have not looked back.

"I was making such good progress that the staff suggested taking the next step and training to be a lifeguard.

"To think I have come from where I was to actually helping to look after others in the water is amazing."

He went through a three-week life-saving course that involved learning about spinal injuries, resuscitation and life-saving rescue techniques.

Now he is preparing to sit his A-levels, and hopes to train as a swimming teacher.