MINEHEAD First School pupils with special educational needs are now able to take the plunge alongside their more able-bodied classmates thanks to a new hoist.

The school used hard-fought-for area funding to buy a specialist hoist to enable pupils to be safely lowered into the water of the school's own pool.

The first to try the hoist for size was pupil Tommy Cable - who gave it a huge thumbs up!

His mum Vanessa thanked school staff for buying the hoist and said Tommy had had limited opportunities to swim following the closure of the Aquasplash pool in Minehead.

She added: "We are delighted and would like to thank Tommy's teacher Janet Daley for the time and effort she has put into obtaining the hoist.

"Since Aquasplash closed there have been few facilities for disabled children in West Somerset and this is helping to address the problem.

"Tommy loves swimming and the fact he can now join his classmates in the school pool, an activity that is very good for him, is wonderful."

Tommy and Janet are pictured with pupils Brandon Baris, Kyle Dunn-Fouracre, Joshua Bulpin and Georgia Phillips.

Photo:

Steve Guscott