Cllr Janet Burgess with female lifeguards

ISLINGTON has become the first borough to train female lifeguards through the Lottery-funded This Girl Can scheme which seeks to encourage women into sports.

During a week-long course 15 women learnt first aid and how to save a person in difficulty.

Dajana Kastrajti signed up for the course when she was 16 and was recruited to Cally Pool. She said: “It was very interesting and I really ­en­joyed it. It was women only, so I felt more comfor­table especially during the poolside training, and I gained confidence and met new friends. It is a brilliant qualification to have.”

Cllr Janet Burgess, executive member for health and social care, said: “This is a fantastic initiative, not only getting more women and girls involved in sport, but offering training and qualifications that will help women to secure jobs.”