A MOTHER is to launch a national website in a bid to battle strict new admissions policy at a Kent swimming pool.

Carolyn Warner's fight began in March when staff at Maidstone Leisure Centre refused to allowed her and her two young children access to the swimming pool because of new rules.

The regulations, which were adopted following advice from the Institute of Sport and Recreation, state every child aged three and under must be accompanied in the water by one adult aged over 16 on a one-to-one basis. An adult over 16 must also accompany four to seven-year-olds on a two-to-one basis.

Mrs Warner, of Vinters Park, Maidstone, has two children, Aaron, six, and Kieran, 20 months. She believes the strict new rules at the Maidstone Borough Council-run pool take away parents' basic right to teach their youngsters to swim.

She and other campaigners are now waiting for Maidstone council to compile a report about recent health and safety changes at the centre before Cllr Roger Berriman (Lab), cabinet member for recreation and community services, makes his decision next month.

Mrs Warner is also standing as a Conservative candidate in the Maidstone Borough Council elections next month, but insists the swimming row should not become an election issue.

She said: "This is not about politics. It's about the children having the right to swim. Whoever you vote for it's still our kids that are being affected."

She added: "The website will be live across the country to promote people fighting back against these ridiculous rules."

The website - www.righttoswim.co.uk - is being launched at a ceremony in Maidstone on Saturday May 29.

Mrs Warner and her supporters hope to capture the imagination of children affected by inviting them to the event outside Marks & Spencer, Week Street, at 11am.

Every youngster who turns up will be asked to write down on a card why they are upset about not being allowed to swim. The cards will then be fixed to helium balloons which will be released at noon.