Swim school 'over the moon' to win national award

West Grinstead Swimming Academy won a national award

A West Sussex swimming school has said it is "over the moon" to win a national award.

West Grinstead Swimming Academy has been named Swim School of the Year at the Swim England National Awards after previously securing second and third place in the category in the two previous years.

Hundreds attended the awards ceremony at Birmingham University's Great Hall on Saturday.

Founding partner Vikki Heal said the award was a "testament to our dedicated and passionate team".

She said the academy had taught more than 1,000 babies, children and adults to swim confidently and safely in the past three years.

"Our instructors are passionate about helping families feel comfortable around water, something that is so important to so many in our community," she said.

"The judges were impressed with our work with charities such as Level Water who provide lessons for children with physical disabilities."

The academy is also fundraising to renovate two pools in Uganda which support orphaned children, Ms Heal added.

Fellow founding partner Nick Isaacson said: "We work so hard to make our swim school the very best, not just locally, but on a national stage, so to get this recognised by top industry experts means everything to us."

There were 25 awards handed out at the event, including for volunteering and teaching.

Swim England chief executive, Andy Salmon, said the awards were "an opportunity to take a moment to rightly applaud and give thanks to so many people who do so much for our sports and activities".