A North-East leisure centre is celebrating after becoming one of the first in the country to become a nationally approved training centre for lifeguards.

The Forum Leisure Centre, at Billingham, Teesside, has been accredited by Quality Leisure Management, on behalf of the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards.

It will mean the Forum will become a role model for other centres in the region.

Approved training centres are responsible for training and upholding the quality standards for pool life guarding.

Roger Black, chairman of Billingham Regeneration Partnership Board, said: "We are looking forward to exciting new facilities in the future, but in the meantime, Billingham Forum Leisure Centre will continue to develop its services for some years to come."

The centre will be running lifeguarding courses from March.