SWIMMERS at three public pools will soon be filmed, with high resolution images of their aquatic efforts appearing on a bank of screens at the poolside.

Moray Council is set to become one of the first councils in Scotland to install underwater cameras and has selected Buckie, Forres and Keith pools for the equipment, which is designed to improve safety.

It will be monitored by lifeguards only.

The number of cameras at each location will depend on the size of the pool.

They will enable lifeguards to monitor underwater activity.

Lifeguards currently have to rely on visual monitoring, which can be impeded by glare and reflections.

The cameras, which it is hoped will be installed before the end of the year, will record in real time and no images will be stored.

Councillors have approved the initiative, which will involve an initial outlay of around £45,000.

However, once they are operational the cameras will result in annual staff savings of around £23,000 a year, the council said.

A spokesman for Moray Council said: "The installation of underwater cameras emerged from our ongoing review of sport, leisure and recreation provision and will greatly increase safety for pool users."

Graham Jarvis, the council's head of lifelong learning, culture and sport, was earlier quoted as saying: "The cameras will increase safety, and will also reduce staffing levels, as many sessions require two lifeguards on poolside. With this system, some of these sessions could be reduced to one."