THE company that runs Croydon's leisure centres has been made to temporarily reinstate lifeguards at children's swimming lessons.
Earlier today the Advertiser reported that weekly swim schools at Purley, and four other leisure centres in the borough, would no longer be manned by lifeguards.
Instead the swimming instructors would be expected to perform the role as well as teaching the classes.
Liz Marsden, whose two children attend lessons at Purley, accused the company of putting money before children's safety.
Fusion initially declined to comment but later confirmed the decision, which affects all its leisure centres, was made in line with "best practice" in the industry.
It said swimming instructors had been provided with "nationally recognised qualifications".
Croydon Council, however, said this afternoon that the company had agreed to reinstate the lifeguards while the policy is reviewed.
"While Fusion has assured us their new policy has been through a full risk assessment and complies with national safety guidelines, we have asked them to reinstate the original arrangements while we review the matter," a spokesman said.
Children at Purley are taught in a learning pool in a separate room leading to concern that the instructor would be unable to cope in an emergency.
After being told of the council's intervention, Mrs Marsden said: "That's fantastic. At the very least parents can be reassured that the decision has been carefully considered."
