A YORK swimming project has been given the London 2012 seal of approval.

Swim Links will give young people with physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities in North Yorkshire the chance to dream of Paralympic glory.

The Amateur Swimming Association-led scheme has been awarded the coveted London 2012 Inspire Mark, which recognises projects inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

From May, the project will offer youngsters who are identified at school as having “higher swimming ability” the chance to improve through extra swimming sessions.

Sessions will be held at the Jorvik Swim Academy at the Archbishop Holgate’s School pool – one of the 20 Swim Links projects taking place across England.

Swimmers who shine in the sessions can then have their skills officially assessed by the governing body during an ASA county athlete assessment day to see if they are good enough to make a North East regional squad.

Carole Barough, the ASA’s national development manager for disability swimming, said: “By attending the weekly sessions, swimmers will have access to high quality coaching.”

Disability specific workshops and seminars have been offered to staff at the Jorvik Swim Academy.

Sessions will take place from May and July, and Swim Links is open to any young swimmer with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability.

For further information, email disability@swimming.org or phone 01625 440434.