A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl who has been blind since birth is among those set to benefit from specialist swimming sessions.

Zoe Dixon is one of 10 children to be given one-to-one tuition, thanks to a £1,000 grant from pub company Punch Taverns to Derbyshire Association for the Blind.

Zoe, a pupil at Markeaton Primary School, Derby, struggles to take part in sport.

Her mother, Aileen Dixon, said the lessons would not only help Zoe get fit but would also improve her confidence.

She said: "Swimming is something she enjoys but its impossible for her to be part of a big group.

"You need somebody with a good knowledge of swimming techniques who also understands how to get that through to somebody who can't see.

"They have to find ways to communicate that, like putting their hand and arm on top of Zoe's and getting her to copy their movements."

Alan McConville, the charity's business manager, said the lessons aimed to teach the young people enough that they could go on to join mainstream swimming groups.

He said: "It can be extremely daunting for any young person to learn to swim and young people with sight loss may find it difficult to join in group swimming sessions."

The charity was awarded the money by the Punch Community Spirit Project.

Anthony York, head of reward at Punch Taverns, said: "We're delighted to support this extremely worthy cause."