A PILOT scheme to improve children's swimming before they start secondary school has begun in County Durham.

The initiative, which is also being tested in Bristol, is based on the National Curriculum requirement that children should be able to swim at least 25m unaided by the age of 11.

Run by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), the scheme has received funding from the Department for Education and Skills, which devised the scheme.

It aims to raise the number of children achieving key stage two in swimming, targeting in particular those who live in in the inner cities or rural communities.

In County Durham, 470 year six youngsters from the Wear Valley and east Durham areas, who have been identified by their schools as being below the required standard for swimming, are taking part in a ten-day course at local pools.

With funding from the ASA, Durham County Council is running mini-buses to and from swimming pools at Peterlee, Hetton-le-Hole, Newton Aycliffe and Wolsingham.

On Monday, the children began daily lessons lasting between 30 and 40 minutes. The lessons will continue until July 4.

As well as being taught swimming strokes, the children are learning about water safety.

Their progress will be monitored throughout the experiment, and at its conclusion a report will be prepared with the findings used to influence swimming teaching throughout the country.

Durham was chosen for the experiment, estimated to be costing about £30,000 in the area, after local officials expressed interest in it.

County PE inspector John Mitcheson said: "The pilot scheme has massive implications for us as a county. We will be enhancing the way we provide swimming and the way schools plan for and deliver swimming lessons."

Education Minister Baron-ess Ashton said: "All children, whatever their circumstances, should have the chance to learn to swim and enjoy themselves while doing so.

"The pilots will help us reach out to those children who find learning to swim more difficult.

"We can then share this best practice with schools across the country through our Swimming Charter."

ASA chief executive David Sparkes welcomed the Government's commitment to making swimming a significant part of the national curriculum.