A popular Shipley club which has taught scores of youngsters how to swim and passed on vital life saving skills to dozens more has been saved from the brink of closure.

Earlier this summer, fearing the fortunes of Shipley Swimming Club '84 could be sunk, officials launched a desperate appeal for help in a last-ditch bid to keep its head above water.

The appeal, launched through the Telegraph & Argus, was sparked after the club's co-ordinator and most of its instructors and Pool-side life-savers announced they were stepping down after years of voluntary service.

Following the call for help the club was inundated with offers and has now been able to appoint a new coordinator and several instructors.

Over the past 14 years the club, which caters for youngsters of all ages and abilities, has taught several hundred local children how to swim, improve their technique and hone their life-saving skills.

Club secretary Faith Butler said officials and members were delighted to be able to keep the group afloat.

She added: "Thanks to the articles in the T&A we're going to be able to re-open for the new term on September 14.

"The people who'd been running the club for years had to step down because of other commitments and if we hadn't been able to replace them we really would have had to close.

"That would have been a real shame because it's the only club of its kind in the area and we've never had a lack of children.

"But we got a wonderful response to the appeal and have now got a new coordinator - Reg Machin a retired policeman and qualified swimming instructor - and five other qualified instructors and life-savers.

"The children get so much fun out of the club but we also teach a lot of youngsters how to swim and offer them a chance to take their bronze, silver and gold medallions in life-saving.''

The club's first meeting of the new term is due to take place at Shipley Pool, Alexandra Road, on Monday, September 14 with weekly sessions run from 7.45pm when would-be new members are welcome to register their interest.

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