A NORTH-EAST leisure centre has been named in a new directory of the country's most baby-friendly swimming pools.

Spennymoor Leisure Centre, in County Durham, has been included in the 20-page booklet, Swimming Starts With Little Swimmers, produced by Huggies nappies.

It lists the UK's best pools for baby care and gives suggestions on what water activities parents can do with their babies.

The centre won high marks for its parent-friendly policies, including baby swimming classes, changing room facilities and comfortable pool temperatures.

Leisure centre manager Sue Collinson said: "We have worked hard to encourage parents to take their babies swimming because it is good for baby development. I am delighted that our efforts have been recognised."

Local mother Nicole Smith, who regularly swims at the centre with her 11-month-old, Skye, said: "Skye just loves swimming and this pool is a really lovely environment. We are very lucky to have such a great facility on our doorstep."

The booklet is available from the centre, or by sending an A5 stamped address envelope to Little Swimmers campaign, O'Leary PR, 27 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NU. Alternatively it can be downloaded from www.littleswimmers.com/uk