SPORTS bosses have been slammed for putting swimming "out of reach" for Glasgow children.

The popular Learn To Swim programme has restarted after being axed during the lockdown - but is only open to existing members.

Glasgow Club has 12 pools across the city but the children's swimming lessons are only returning to four of those: Tollcross, Maryhill, Gorbals and Springburn. 

Parents have accused Glasgow Life of making swimming lessons less accessible for youngsters whose parents can't afford to go private.

One mum said: "Swimming is not only a really important life skill, it is also really good fun. 

"Children have had a miserable time and now something as basic as a swimming lesson is being put out of reach of most children in Glasgow.

"Some families can afford private lessons but they are twice the price, plus not everyone has a car and can travel.

"It makes me want to cry at the unfairness of it because I know how happy the kids are splashing around and most kids now can’t do it."

Glasgow Life said physical distancing in pools sets limits on how many can take part in Learn to Swim.

Just across the boundary in North Lanarkshire, a full Learn To Swim programme is back up and running at full capacity. 

East Dunbartonshire also has run booster sessions across the summer holidays to give access to children who missed out in the previous terms. 

Mark Grant, General Manager of East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust, said: "East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust restarted our Learn to Swim programme in May.

"We ran a limited programme from May to June which was attended by approximately 1000 children. 

"A typical term under normal circumstances would normally see 1600-1800 children attending.

"Spaces were limited due to the procedures we have in place to keep everyone safe including smaller class numbers, gaps between classes for cleaning and the suspension of Adult and Child lessons to allow us to comply with social distancing guidelines.

"Over the summer we ran an additional limited programme - which was attended by 275 people - to try and accommodate some of the swimmers that we could not place in our previous term."

Alison Smith, who has two children aged seven and four, said: "My older boy absolutely loved learning to swim and I was keen to get the younger one in to swimming as soon as possible.

"It's such a vital skill and you look at the tragedies of the recent days at Loch Lomond and realise how important learning water safety is.

"So it's gutting that my other boy is missing out." 

A spokeswoman for Glasgow Life said: “Physical distancing, by design, limits the number of people that can be accommodated in a pool at one time. 

"Prioritising one activity would mean the capacity to host other activities like dedicated children’s sessions, family swimming and adult lane swimming sessions would be reduced.

"Given the reduction in class and capacity numbers, we are honouring existing members of the Learn to Swim programme. 

"When we have suitably placed all of our existing customers back into the programme, then we will begin to invite new customers to sign up for lessons."

Glasgow Life said it is "continually reviewing" how it can offer more sessions when physical distancing guidances for pools change.

Work is still ongoing at Bellahouston and Scotstoun Glasgow Clubs with Bellahouston due to be completed in early September and Scotstoun in late 2021. 

The spokesman added: "We will add further Learn to Swim opportunities where possible."