LEISURE East Devon (LED), the charitable trust that manages Honiton Sports Centre and Swimming Pool, recently signed a new five-year agreement with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) to deliver the National Plan for Teaching Swimming

LEISURE East Devon (LED), the charitable trust that manages Honiton Sports Centre and Swimming Pool, recently signed a new five-year agreement with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) to deliver the National Plan for Teaching Swimming as well as the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme.

The centre has also just achieved Premier status with leading industry quality scheme Aquamark.

The long-term agreement with the ASA represents a commitment to improving and developing swimming teaching in Honiton in line with national standards. The agreement also covers LED's other pools in Sidmouth and Exmouth.

There are currently over 320 children and around 20 adults attending swimming lessons at the Honiton centre each week and the swim school has links with Honiton Swimming Club, which competes in local events, and Exeter Synchronised Swimming Club, which competes nationally.

"We are delighted to have secured this agreement with the ASA that will allow us to continually improve swimming programmes in Honiton," said Simon Davey, manager of Honiton Swimming and Leisure Centre.

"LED's aim is to ensure that people in the area have the best opportunity to learn to swim and to improve their swimming techniques, irrespective of age or ability.

"We find the National Plan for Teaching Swimming very straightforward to work with and the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme has proved to be a great success with our children who are improving their overall swimming skills and earning certificates and badges along the way."

After going through a rigorous assessment process with the ASA Honiton Swimming and Leisure Centre has also recently been awarded Premier Aquamark status, the highest status that a pool can earn. The award was based on lengthy criteria in areas such as staffing, customer relations, policy and strategy, and programme operation.

"Achieving Premier status is what we've been working towards and we feel it reflects our commitment to providing accessible and enjoyable services to as many people as possible in the Honiton area," added Simon Davey.

If you would like any further information on learning to swim, please contact Honiton Swimming and Leisure Centre on 01404 42325 or visit the LED website www.ledleisure.co.uk