A new swimming school for babies and toddlers has said its first sessions in Carlisle have been 'fantastic'.

Dinkies Swim School provides swimming lessons to babies and toddlers aged between 12 weeks and four years old and recently opened its newest branch in Carlisle.

The school already runs a number of branches across the northeast and has also expanded into Scotland.

Lessons in Carlisle began on Monday, November 4 at Carrock View Pool and are taking place weekly. Sessions also take place on Friday mornings at Quarrybeck Pool in Brampton. 

(Image: Supplied) Kate Bostock is the head of the new Carlisle branch of Dinkies Swim School and expressed her delight at the 'fantastic' uptake since the school's launch.

She said: "Our Friday sessions have really taken off, I think we have only got three or four spaces left.

"We are limited by the pool's space and the Monday sessions have also taken off as well and we are struggling for space there as well. The uptake has been fantastic.

"A lot of parents have really enjoyed the sessions as well and we are also working hard to keep our prices as low as possible and keep it affordable. 

(Image: Supplied) "We just want children to feel confident in the water and experience the pool environment so maybe when they are older and start swimming lessons they are not starting from scratch.

"At the sessions, we have also been teaching the children to grab the side of the pool if they fall in and we really believe that these are essential skills."

Speaking previously, Kate had explained in more depth how Dinkies Swim School in Carlisle is aiming to inspire confidence in young swimmers.

She said: "Our aim is to teach as many children to be confident and safe in the water as well as teaching them how to swim.

(Image: Supplied) "We pride ourselves on creating a great rapport with both children and adults. Our lessons are fun and interactive, teaching water safety and confidence through games and songs.

"We are child-led so will never expect your child to do something that they or you as their parent or carer don't want them to do."