More than 5,000 Thanet youngsters will be learning a new lesson aboutwater safety over the next couple of weeks. (Monday 28 February - Friday11 March).

The “Water Safety in Thanet” school sessions are run this year by apartnership of organisations and are coordinated by the Thanet CoastProject, with support from the Big Lottery Fund Children’s Playprogramme. The talks focus on the dangers around the Thanet coastline,how to stay safe, have fun on the beaches and look after theenvironment. The talks include sessions with representatives from thelifeguards (Neil Morgan, Thanet Leisureforce), RNLI (Dave Melmoth, RNLIand Joss Bay Surf School) and Thanet Coast Project (Suzie Hooper andNora Aldous).

Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said:“These immensely popular school sessions are a vitally importantpart of promoting the message about water safety with local children, asthe coastline plays such a huge part in all our lives. I’m delightedthat the Thanet Coast Project is working in partnership with thecoastguards, lifeguards and lifeboats to run them. The coastline is ourlargest open space, and children spend much of their holidays having funand enjoying our beautiful beaches and we want to ensure that they knowhow to stay safe.”

Tony Child, Thanet Coast Project Manager, said “The School WaterSafety Sessions will be held at 20 schools over two weeks and will help5,600 school children to be more aware of the potential dangers of ourcoastal environment. I’m extremely grateful to our partners for helpin running these sessions, and to the support of the Big Lottery Fundunder the Children’s Play programme in Thanet. The programme has beenextremely successful in helping us to run children’s activities aroundThanet over the last three years - including on our beaches - and wegratefully acknowledge this extremely worthwhile support.”

Further information about Water Safety in Thanet and future events runby the Thanet Coast Project can be viewed at www.thanetcoast.org.uk