YOUNG Brandon Slee has become the 10,000th student to enrol for a popular Learn to Swim Programme.

Brandon, aged six, of Ryhope, Sunderland, has just graduated from the first stage of his swimming course at the city's Crowtree Leisure Centre.

He can now progress to take on the challenge of the Turtle award after completing his Oyster level, which involved using a variety of skills, as well as gaining his badge for swimming five metres.

Swim Sunderland is the city's Learn to Swim scheme and provides a structured set of swimming lessons for children of all ages.

Brandon accepted his certificate from swimming instructor Linda Rodum at the leisure centre.