YOUNGSTERS made a splash this summer.

About 20,000 of them flocked to Redcar and Cleveland's leisure facilities to take advantage of free swimming lessons.

The scheme, run by Tees Valley Leisure and funded by Tees Primary Care Trust, offered free lessons at Eston Sports Academy, Saltburn Leisure Centre, Loftus Leisure Centre and Guisborough Swimming Pool.

Paddy Corcoran, Tees Valley Leisure managing director, said: "At a time when children's health and obesity dominates the headlines, this is a phenomenal show of what can happen when you encourage kids to get active."