These water babies may have created a national record.

More than 100 children under 11 at St Nicolas Primary School, in Abingdon, had swum at least a quarter of a mile without stopping.

And headmaster Peter Marsh believed that no other school in the country could match that achievement. Pictured here, in the school pool, are some of the pupils who received certificates for swimming in 1969.

Mr Marsh said proudly: "We have 23 children who can swim a mile and if there is any other junior school which has more, we would be interested to hear from them. In theory, we could swim the English Channel in relays."

The school had had its own swimming pool since 1961, and pupils could swim every day if they wanted.

In the junior department, 210 children - 95 per cent of the total school roll - could swim and 53 infants could also swim. In the early days, the water was quite cold, but early in 1969, a heating plant was installed, which allowed children to go straight into the pool without feeling the temperature with their toes.

For those who could swim over a certain distance, the school had introduced the Amateur Swimming Association awards, in which instructors concentrated on advanced techniques and skills in swimming.

Thirty-two children had already received their certificates and badges for Stages One and Two.

In 1969, the children at St Nicolas had won a record number of awards. A special assembly was held, at which awards were presented by Bill Rennells, then an Oxford Mail reporter and now a BBC Radio Oxford presenter.