AUCHENHARVIE Sub Aqua club returned to their pool training at Harvies in Saltcoats with a simplified training programme.

As the Scottish Sub Aqua Club that covers the Tree Towns, the club are inviting prospective members to come and have a try dive.

Club Branch Diving Officer Craig Perrie explained: "We have introduced a new simplified diving qualification “Branch Diver” which is more condensed and gets new members in to the water quicker. During your hour session you will be fitted with a full set of aqualung equipment, you will have some time to get used to the kit, then with your instructor you will swim underwater to the deep end of the pool.”

The club has 38 existing members, male and female, who dive regularly and along with the pool sessions they use the upstairs restaurant within Cecchini's where club lectures take place. Having two dive ribs club members regularly embark on weekend dives around the Clyde and further a field.

Chairman Craig Perkins added: "Diving is the closest feeling we can get to being in space, an alien environment with some amazing things to see. "People believe diving is an expensive and dangerous sport, there is kit to buy and there are risks however we train our members to mitigate those risks and we have kit for new members to borrow until they can get their own.

"Most of our members buy items second hand from auction sites. We have a great bunch of members who have a real good time diving and sharing experiences."

Pool sessions are at 8.45pm on a Tuesday evening at Auchenharvie Swimming Pool. To book a try dive call Craig Perkins on 07775 538542. Cost of a try dive is £15.