DEMENTIA-friendly swimming sessions are proving popular with one care home in particular being praised for nurturing pool-loving elderly residents.

Known as Alderwood Care Home's "water babies", between them the super six clock up a total of 518 years with the eldest being 95-year-old Grace Collins.

Free weekly dementia activities run at Leisure World Colchester, sponsored by the Improved and Better Care Fund North East Essex Transformation Fund.

Until December 19, they will remain free for residents.

Alderwood manager Nikki Leaney said: “Swimming is often associated with happy, early memories.

"Of course, the physical exercise is very beneficial helping to improve stamina and fitness, but it’s also low impact and being in the water helps to encourage relaxation and reduces anxiety.

“This is just one of the many activities that have contributed to our recent outstanding accreditation from the CQC.”

One of the swimmers, Margaret Parkinson, 77, now lives with late stage vascular dementia.

She taught herself to swim as a youngster, regularly braving cold waters between the islands off West Kirby on the Wirral Peninsula.

Both her and daughter Sally Parkinson take part in aqua classes and synchronised swimming together.

Sally said: “Being able to be in the pool together again has brought back so many good memories, and it's wonderful mum actually remembered her swim from last week."

Jean Larner, 92, took her first ever swim with the Alderwood team last year.

She said: “I never thought I could do it, but I did."

Colchester councillor Nick Barlow, responsible for commercial services, said: “There is evidence people stop doing the things they've always loved when they’ve had a dementia diagnosis.

"Our supportive sessions at Leisure World enable people to continue to be active - whether that’s swimming, badminton, dancing or any other form of physical activity they use our centres for."

For more information call Leisure World on 01206 282000 or visit colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/dementia-friendly-activities.

If you need transport, call Community360 on 01206 216600.