Children are missing out on swimming practice because the pool they train in has been out of action for almost two months.

Patcham Water Survival swimming group uses the pool at Patcham High School in Brighton every weekday evening to teach 400 children and adults to swim.

But the pool has been closed since early December for repairs and maintenance.

Children have been left disappointed as, each week, their lessons have been cancelled.

Lisa Niner's son Daniel, 11, learnt to swim with the club when he was four and, although he has progressed to become a member of Brighton Swimming Club, was still attending Survival group sessions before the interruption.

He is working towards badges and competitions and, while he has been using other pools, has missed going to Patcham.

Daniel's younger brother Dean, nine, has been missing out on his only weekly lesson.

Mrs Niner has written to Brighton and Hove City Council and Patcham High School headteacher Liz Fletcher to complain.

In her letter, she said: "I have two boys who are looking forward to their lessons each week and every week I say 'Still not on'. It is such a shame.

"They need to attend regularly to work towards the badges and with this long, long break many children will lose interest.

"At the rate the work is being done, they will forget how to swim altogether."

Mrs Niner said the lessons were especially important for her younger son.

She said: "Dean relies on his swimming lesson.

"I know he has forgotten a lot of what he was learning. He has lost interest and has not been able to swim anywhere else."

Wendy Barrett, who runs Patcham Water Survival, apologised for the inconvenience and said the problem was out of her hands.

The school would reimburse club members but other pools were not suitable for the lessons or were fully booked.

She said: "If the young children are going in to water, some can be more nervous when there has been a bit of a break.

"But children are very resilient. They will get their sea legs back."

She praised the school and Jarvis, the company which is carrying out the work, for their efforts.

She said: "Everybody has been very supportive.

"There is no criticism of anybody - it is just one of those unfortunate things. Hopefully we will be back in the water soon."

Ms Fletcher said the problems began three weeks before Christmas, when there was found to a chemical imbalance in the pool, meaning it could not be used.

After Christmas, Jarvis became responsible for the pool's maintenance.

The firm replaced the chemical system but also discovered a leak, which meant the pool had to be drained.

The firm also took the opportunity to carry out other maintenance work.

Ms Fletcher expects the pool be open within the next two weeks.

She said: "The problems mean our youngsters have not had their swimming lessons but we had to find out what the trouble was.

"We hope in the long- run we are going to get an up-graded set-up."

A Jarvis spokesman said: "The nature of the faults meant the swimming pool was not fit for safe or healthy operation.

"Jarvis discussed and agreed the rectification of the faults with the school and local authority and has been working to ensure the swimming pool is operational and meets health and safety standards.

"This work will be completed as soon as possible."