Smiling schoolgirl Ellena Mae Jones was picked from hundreds of entrants as the winner of a borough-wide swim safety poster campaign.

 

The creative seven-year-old, who attends Silkstone Common Junior and Infant School, will have her design displayed at all venues run by Barnsley Premier Leisure for the next 12 months.

 

Her poster features BPL mascot Derek the Dolphin on a sun-drenched beach above the words 'Learning to swim is important because if you go on holiday you might drown'.

 

Tracey Gregory, representing BPL, said the scheme was designed to promote water safety ahead of the summer holidays.

 

"A lot of children will be going on holiday or playing outside near water and this should encourage them to be safe around water.

 

"Statistics show if accidents are going to happen, they tend to be around this time of year." Barnsley Premier Leisure selected the best entrants from the 14 Barnsley primary schools which entered, with Ellena chosen as the overall winner by Chronicle reporter Lynsey Bradford.