Three children have been told they may not swim lengths at the Greerton Aquatic and Leisure Centre until after 7pm if an adult is providing advice, because this would be classified as a lesson.
Mother Sarah Cook said her son Alex Cook, 8, and his two 9-year-old friends were working towards a school challenge of being able to swim 500m but were told they could not swim laps in the public 25m swimming pool until after 7pm.
Pool staff said it was because family friend Kristie Purton was on the side of the pool helping the children with their technique so it was classified as a lesson, Mrs Cook said.
"Furthermore we have been advised that any parent is not allowed to teach their own child to swim in the public pools until after 7pm," she said.
"I am sure that most parents would agree that 7pm is not a practical time of night for young children to be swimming and I find the policy not allowing children to pay to swim after school in a public pool ridiculous."