A 21-year-old lifeguard from St Albans has been recognised for her dedication to the role.

Rosie Elliott, who started her career in lifeguarding three years ago, has been a part of the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre team for the past 18 months and was recently recognised on Lifeguard Appreciation Day.

The leisure centre, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with St Albans City and District Council, has become a second home for Ms Elliott, where she's been able to put her early teachings into practice.

Rosie said: "From a young age I was taught the importance of water safety and water confidence, but it was only when I became a lifeguard that I could really put this knowledge to good use.

"Becoming a lifeguard was a way that I could help others in need, and additional training such as first aid training meant I became even more confident in my role and aware of my responsibility in keeping local people safe."

Rosie, who recently completed her Level 1 and Level 2 swimming teacher courses, added: "Ensuring people feel confident and safe in the water is incredibly rewarding and I hope the importance of water safety will stay with them for life.

"I gained great knowledge about how to assist others in life-threatening situations which led me to think how else I can use my experience to help those in need.

"This is when I decided to enrol at university to become a paramedic, utilising my experience as both a lifeguard and a swimming teacher to further help the local community."

Lifeguards' duties include pool area monitoring, enforcing safety rules, performing rescues, and administering first aid when necessary.

They are present around the clock, preventing accidents and ensuring swimmers of all abilities feel safe.

Steve Cox, Everyone Active's area contract manager, said: "Lifeguards like Rosie are the cornerstone to our community’s safety at the pool, making a real difference every day.

"This Lifeguard Appreciation Day we celebrate colleagues like Rosie, whose dedication to helping those in need reminds us of the vital role these often-unsung heroes play."