Making a splash as Lido opens (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Making a splash as Lido opens

2:10pm Sunday 25th May 2008 in News By Mel Fairhurst

Youngsters are causing a splash at Ilkley Lido after Olympic swimming hopeful and local lass Sian Morgan officially opened the outdoor pool for the summer.

The weather may not be tropical but it isn't putting youngsters off having a swimmingly good time.

Up to two youngsters accompanied by an adult can swim for free at Bradford council-run pools until June 1.

Bradford Grammar School pupil Sian, 14, trains nine times a week at her school and at pools at Shipley and Rhodesway, Bradford, clocking up 45,000 metres each week.

The talented teenager said: "I have been swimming since I was aged three and hopefully I will be able to win the Olympics.

"I hope everybody enjoys swimming as much as I do this summer."

Her coach Andy Pearce said: "I think she could be selected for the Olympic Games. She has been selected for the 2012 programme for British swimming.

"The potential she has got is massive and hopefully she will achieve her dream."

Despite the chilly start to the opening of the Lido on Saturday, brothers Ryan and Callum Clarke and 12-year-old Max Beesley were the first to brave the water and they had a whale of a time.