WALKING is several months away, but for some Gwent babies it is never too early to learn to swim.

Through specialist baby swimming classes in Newport, parents also have the opportunity to get unforgettable underwater pictures of their children.

These amazing images are from classes run by the South Wales branch of Water Babies, run by mums Aletia Griffiths, from Rogerstone and Jacqui Boyle, from Langstone, who trained as swimming teachers during maternity leave.

Water Babies offers the paradox of serious fun, as Mrs Boyle, explained: "There's very little that beats sitting underwater, watching your tiny child gliding serenely towards you.

"But although babies rarely appear to be doing any more than having fun, they are actually learning potential lifesaving skills. Drowning is still unfortunately the third largest cause of accidental death for children in the United Kingdom, and in recent years there has been no decline."

The pair began last January and now teach nearly 200 babies a week at Newport's Maindee Pool and Maes Ebbw School.

Babies are eligible for a photo session after 10 weeks, with the photographers having just three seconds to get each shot.

"Given the difficulty and unpredictability, our photographers' success rates are phenomenal," she said. "Most babies have three attempts. Out of about 80 babies per shoot, we get at least one excellent photo of nearly every child."

Ten-month-old Jack Edwards has been a water baby from three months old. "My brother and I were taken swimming from birth," said mum Lizzie Edwards, from Caerleon. "It's great that Jack has been able to have a similar experience, but in a structured environment where he can also socialise with other babies."

Water Babies can be contacted at 01633 895850, or go to www.waterbabies.co.uk