A swim school created by an Olympic champion opening in Teesside later this year.
Olympic champion Becky Adlington's Swim! Teesside is preparing to welcome its first young swimmers after plans for the facility.
It comes after plans submitted in December last year were approved.
The school will be based in Teesside Park, near Hollywood Bowl and Showcase Cinema, and will offer lessons for children aged zero to 11-years-old.
Construction work is now under way on the purpose-built centre, which is being developed with an investment of more than £1 million.
Swim!
(Image: Supplied)
The swimming school has launched a registration campaign ahead of opening, offering the first month of lessons for £10 to a limited number of families who join the priority list before bookings go live.
Swim! says the venue has been designed specifically for children's lessons and will include a 31-degree heated pool, an air-conditioned viewing lounge and bespoke changing rooms.
The company says its main focus is helping children build confidence in the water while learning key swimming skills with small class sizes and lessons tailored to individual needs.
Teachers will be in the water supporting beginners, with achievements recognised using certificates and stickers to build confidence, develop strong swimming skills, and enjoy spending time in the water.
Swim! was founded by Olympic gold medallist Becky Adlington OBE, who created the programme with the aim of giving children a positive and supportive introduction to swimming.
Becky Adlington, who founded Swim!, visited the Teesside Park site ahead of the launch.
(Image: Ninh Ly)
The organisation says its lessons are designed to be about more than learning a life-saving skill, with children encouraged to make new friends, take part in different activities and celebrate each other's success.
Weekly themes and challenges will help keep children engaged while they develop their swimming technique.
Becky Adlington visited Teesside Leisure Park in June to reveal the location of the new centre and share her excitement about the project.
She said: "We're really excited to be opening an amazing, brand new £1million facility here to make learning to swim much easier, calmer and enjoyable for Teesside families."
Read more
21 pictures as families enjoy free festival with colourful shows and giant foam party
Early bird offer ending soon for Weardale Railway Santa Express
‘Old-fashioned’ sweet shop that takes punters back to childhood has been shown on TV
The swimming school expects to open this autumn, with families now able to register their interest ahead of the booking portal launching.
Proposed opening hours are expected to run from morning through to evening across most weekdays as well as weekends.
Free on-site parking will be available for visitors.