A GROUP of young women who have taken to scuba diving like fish to water are taking part in an epic challenge to celebrate their club's 60th anniversary.

The 16 women and girls have got into the activity thanks to the This Girl Can campaign.

They are learning to dive with Bradford Sub-Aqua Club and are keen to take part in its anniversary celebrations in aid of the Royal Lifeboat Institution.

The challenge will see members undertake 60 dives in 60 locations later this year.

One of the youngest to join last year was 13-year-old Jessica Westbury, from Wibsey, who went on to gain her Ocean Diver qualification alongside her mum.

“My mum and I have wanted to learn to dive for a long time after seeing it on TV. It’s been really lovely to spend quality time with my mum and it's been fun to be one of the youngest divers at the club.

“It’s great to start early and I really want to carry on and gain higher qualifications."

Jessica's mum Victoria added: “I’m nearly 38 and scuba diving was on my bucket list of things to do before I’m 40.

“My other daughter, Olivia, who’s 11, has started snorkelling too and wants to learn to dive."

Mick Barraclough, Bradford SAC’s chairman and diving officer, who joined the club 30 years ago, said: “We’re very proud of the club’s achievements over the years.

“There’s a much better spread of male and female divers and lots of young members which is really important as it’s the younger members who will continue to keep the club alive."

Two years ago Bradford SAC member Megan Judd, who became one of Britain’s youngest open water scuba diving instructors when she was aged just 17, was appointed one of six This Girl Can Dive Ambassadors by BSAC.

The ambassadors were inspired by Sport England’s national This Girl Can campaign, which aims to encourage more girls and women into sport by promoting the benefits of keeping active.

Bradford SAC was subsequently awarded just over £3,000 in lottery funding through Sport England’s Sportivate programme to recruit more girls and women into the sport. It has enabled the club to run heavily subsidised training for young women over the past two years.

The new female recruits have signed up to Bradford SAC’s latest six-week introductory diving programme for 2017. Most of them are hoping to go on to complete their BSAC Ocean Diver qualification which will enable them to participate in one or more of Bradford SAC’s anniversary dives later this year.

Since getting involved with the campaign, Bradford SAC has more than doubled its female membership to 24. Last year’s introductory diving course saw all eight girls and women go on to become full BSAC members at the club.

The club, which currently has 77 members and its own clubhouse at Mountain Queensbury, won the Heinke Trophy in 2014 – BSAC’s highest club accolade.

Throughout the past six decades the club has been very much a part of the community, helping to rescue four fishermen in November 1966 when their boat capsized off Flamborough Head. This brave deed saw members presented with awards from The Royal Humane Society.

Bradford SAC train every Monday at Tong High School, in Bradford.

For more information about Bradford Sub-Aqua Club visit www.bradfordsubaqua.co.uk