PEOPLE who want to become a lifeguard can take the plunge and attend a training course at the Crystal Leisure Centre next week.

The Stourbridge leisure centre, on Bell Street, is running a Royal Life Saving Society National Pool Lifeguard Qualification course daily between February 17-21 from 2pm to 10.30pm.

An exam will follow on Saturday February 22.

Those who successfully complete the course will be qualified to work as a pool lifeguard, both in the UK and abroad.

The course comprises physical training and theoretical classroom work, followed by a practical assessment in and out of the water.

There is no written exam.

Participants must be at least 16 years old and take a 15-minute pre-arranged swimming test beforehand.

Councillor Stuart Turner, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is an ideal opportunity for adults of any age to gain a professional level qualification that gives them the chance to immediately seek work, and potentially even work overseas.”

The course costs £240.

Spaces must be pre-booked with a deposit of £50.

The remaining balance must be paid before the first day of the course.

For more information, or to provisionally book, visit www.dudley.gov.uk/sport or call Nikki Tranter at Crystal Leisure Centre, on 01384 812800.