CHILDREN in Ellesmere have had a chance to swim with a mermaid at an event organised by the town's library as part of its summertime activities.

More than a dozen youngsters took to the water in the pool at Ellesmere College where they joined Jeni Hall, from Gobowen, who entertains in aquariums and water centres across the UK as part of the Performance Mermaids group.

The session is part of a wider Ellesmere 'meremaid festival' which has been supported across the town, with a library spokesman explaining how it went.

They said: "Appearing under her professional name, Mermaid Seren, Jeni has been supporting the Ellesmere 'meremaid festival' – a nine-week community art project organised by library assistant Sally Poynton.

"More than 80 brightly-decorated mermaid figures, created by local volunteers are currently on display along an aquatic trail around the town centre.

"Jeni has also given a presentation at the library to tell children about her work in marine conservation.

"The artworks will remain on display until September."