Babies as young as 18 months old are learning how to swim

Angela Wilson was in the British Olympic Squad and now instructs 500 children a week in Dartford.

She said teaching toddlers professional strokes was important for their safety and good for the health.

"Parents think if they get armbands off children and get them going from one side to the other they'll learn to swim - that's not what it's about."

Ms Wilson, who came sixth in the Commonwealth Games in 1994, added: "It's about achieving the ultimate goal, getting the style and getting them swimming competently.

"It makes them much more confident swimmers."