REDDITCH Council is joining forces with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) to launch a national swimming teaching plan.

The launch will take place at Kingsley Sports Centre on Saturday and will be attended by 1,000 children, ASA mascot Tony the Tiger and Olympic swimmer Adam Ruckwood.

Events at the launch will include a pool session, demonstration session with Adam Ruckwood, bouncy castle and ball pond fun, Tony the Tiger's Dance and a speech on the National Swimming Plan by the ASA.

The plan will create a national curriculum for teaching swimming, based on children's performance in key areas, and will standardise teaching nationally.

It will involve assessments and an awards scheme ranging from level 1 beginners through to level 12 pre-competition development and will help develop a wide range of skills and gradually increase ability levels.

The council is also working in partnership with Redditch Swimming Club so swimming lessons in the borough's leisure centres are linked to the junior development squad at the club, in-line with the Sport England Active Swimming Initiative.

With this link in place, it is hoped Redditch may find and train the swimming stars of the future.