WATER baby Keira Munkley is a swimming success who could become the next Rebecca Adlington.
Jo Munkley, the little star's mum, was thrilled when her daughter was accepted into Kingston-Upon-Hull Swimming Club at the tender age of five, making her the youngest member.
Jo, 35, always knew she wanted her little girl to start swimming lessons as soon as possible to ensure she would have water confidence from an early age.
She said: "Keira started her classes when she was just three months old and she absolutely loved it straight away, so much so that when her younger brother Logan was born, I couldn't wait to get him started as well.
"It's a joy to watch them happily diving and splashing about and I'm sure the classes have given them a head start on other youngsters their age.
"We're so proud Keira is such an advanced swimmer but the best thing is the progression and confidence I've seen her gain in the water.
"It doesn't feel like a lesson to her, it's just about having fun."
Keira, a pupil at Bricknell Avenue Primary School, was first enrolled on to the Water Babies programme in Hull, designed to make the most of babies' natural affinity with water.
Jo, of east Hull, said her daughter has never worn armbands and now swims past her bedtime when practicing with the club at weekly sessions.
"People always tell her they'll see her in the Olympics one day and it would be amazing if she carried on and went that far," she said.
"But, if she suddenly decides she doesn't want to go anymore, we will respect her choice."
Keira is now preparing for her first swimming gala at the end of this month.
Jo said: "Keira swims full lengths of the pool with children quite a few years older than her and she's doing really well.
"Logan is also getting on really well at the Water Babies sessions at Winifred Holtby School, while Keira has lessons at Ennerdale Leisure Centre."
Stella Riley, who runs the Water Babies' clubs across North Yorkshire, said: "Watching the babies and their parents progressing always amazes me.
"I'm really proud to be offering them a skill that could one day save their lives and, in Keira's case, one that has seen her match the swimming ability of children much older than her."
Along with her mum and dad Richard, 38, the family went on a holiday to Egypt where Keira had fun in the water.
She was even able to go snorkeling and couldn't wait to jump off a boat into the sea with her parents.
Keira said: "I love diving down the most and collecting the sinkers during my lessons.
"I like swimming and learning how to do it better, too."
Her parents are bursting with pride at how fast she's learnt the basic techniques and say she also knows what to do if she falls into deep water and how to swim to safety.
Jo said: "Teaching your young children to swim not only makes holidays more enjoyable, but it could one day help to save their lives."
