WATER-LOVING pupils at a Beaconsfield school have been splashing around in a new 20-metre swimming pool.

The indoor pool at independent girls' school High March took ten months to build and pupils and teachers are delighted with the end product.

All pupils from Reception to Year 6 now have a swimming lesson once a week, while lessons for nursery children at the Ledborough Lane school are also being considered.

Headmistress Sue Clifford said: “The children have been incredibly excited at the news that they can swim every week throughout the year.

“It is a wonderful facility and we are looking forward to inviting other schools to participate in galas hosted here.”

Head of PE at the school Jayne Mckee said the swimming squad has been increased from 40 girls to 80.

She said: “We are also able to have ‘fun swim sessions’ after school, and swimming sessions for parents, both of which are proving very popular.”

Pupil Ginny Kucera, seven, said: “It is so exciting to be able to swim at school. I go in the swimming pool twice a week and I love it.”

Abby Imlah, seven, added: “I know it is going to help me get better at swimming and we have lots of fun in our lessons too.”

High March is planning to hold an official opening event for the new pool during the course of next term.