Hundreds of pupils across Swindon have taken part in a winter water safety show.

Nearly 1,000 children from East Wichel Primary, Ridgeway Farm Primary, Holy Cross Catholic Primary and Ferndale School were visited by the Winter Water Safety Roadshow team run by charitable social enterprise Better.

They were given tips and advice on staying safe near water during the winter months, then joined in with a quiz and activities.

Holy Cross headteacher Karen Salter said: “At Holy Cross we understand how important the winter water safety messages given by the roadshow team are.

“We are excited to be working with Better Swindon to help keep our children safe this winter.”

Drowning prevention charity The Royal Life Saving Society offers advice to people of all ages – including the importance of teaching children not to go on to frozen water under any circumstances.

Better Aquatics officer and roadshow leader Jennie Maccready added: “ With the flooding and freezing weather we have experienced in recent weeks, the importance of teaching children how to be safe around water during the coldest months of the year is particularly salient.

“A frozen lake or pond can be beautiful but too often, people risk their lives by venturing into the water. Floods and thawing ice present their own problems, from contamination to the risk of being swept away.”

For further information or to arrange a Water Safety Roadshow visit to a school or community group email: jennie.maccready@gll.org.