Bradford babies will be taking the plunge next month when a new swimming scheme arrives in the city.

Water Babies was set up in Ilkley by Paul and Jess Thompson who discovered the benefits of swimming for babies when they were living in the south of England.

The couple had always wanted to run their own business and found the opportunity to run similar classes when they moved to the Bradford district.

Now they have got more than 550 babies from around the county on their books.

Paul and Jess are now keen to reach Asian women in Bradford who traditionally don't go swimming with their children.

The couple are launching women-only baby swimming classes at Lister Lane School in Lister Street, Bradford in September.

"A lot of our clients were travelling in to Ilkley from that area so we try to get to a venue closer to them," says Paul, who apart from being a qualified swimming teacher, life-saver and scuba diving instructor, is also working with the STA (Swimming Teachers Association) re-writing its baby swimming manual.

The manual will incorporate many of the STA's underwater baby swimming techniques which help baby and parent bond, as well as a whole range of other benefits.

"There is very little you can do with a newborn baby. We are on to our second child now and you can go to parent groups but there isn't much you can really do as a regular activity where you can see a great deal of achievement. But people are amazed by what their baby can do in the water," says Paul.

"It's exciting and is an activity which is quite special. It gets babies doing regular physical exercise and helps with their development."

The Bradford class starts on September 11 and sessions are from 12-1pm and 3.30-5.30pm.

For further information contact Paul on (01943) 431490.

Freddie Clarke and dad Jo are pictured learning in Bradford under the watchful eye of Kim Bennett.