Confident swimmers looking to take their skills one step further can sign up for a nationally accredited lifeguard course at the Crystal Leisure Centre.

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) national pool lifeguard course provides an intensive six days training with exam which qualifies successful students to work as pool lifeguards, anywhere in the country.

Participants receive a course manual and special tuition and are tested with an exam at the end of the course. Those who complete the course successfully will obtain an official lifeguard qualification and certificate.

Participants must be over 16 years of age and need to take a pre-arranged swimming test beforehand (t-shirt and shorts are required).

Participants need to complete all six sessions which run from 8am - 4pm on Friday 7 and 14 July, 12pm - 9.30pm on Saturday 8 and 15 July, and 12pm - 8.30pm on Sunday 9 and 16 July.  The final exam will take place on Sunday 16 July

The course costs £200. A £50 deposit is required at the time of booking to guarantee a place. The remaining balance of £150 must be paid by Thursday 6 July.

For more information visit www.dudley.gov.uk/sport, contact Nikki Tranter on 07557 856530 or to book a place call Crystal Leisure Centre on 01384 812800.