The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) have signed a partnership agreement for the delivery of lifeguarding courses for the next three years.

The secure training partnership will run until the end of 2022 and has been devised to "save money and provide guarantee the highest standards in GLL’s pools", while providing staff with sustainable career pathways.

Robert Gofton, CEO of RLSS UK said the partnership will also have a focus on "encouraging more people from all backgrounds to join the lifeguarding community".

“We believe that lifeguards should reflect our wider society and that everyone, irrespective of their background, disability, faith, gender, race and sexual orientation, should be able to take advantage of the many benefits of lifeguarding," Gofton said.

Chris Hebblewhite, associate director for standards and compliance at GLL added: “Nationally, there is a shortage of lifeguards and the industry desperately needs to attract young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, something that both our organisations are passionate about.”