Council bans swimming goggles

Parents have been banned from giving their children goggles for swimming lessons.

Hertfordshire County Council is afraid the goggles could spring back, hitting children in the face. It says they can be worn only "in exceptional circumstances".

Parents at Killigrew Junior School, St Albans, are warning health and safety regulations are threatening the future of independently-run swimming pools. One mother said: "This is political correctness gone mad."