Superfit Dick Reeves is preparing for his 75th summer of stripping down to his trunks for regular swimming sessions.

The 89-year-old took up the sport aged 15 and has since won numerous awards.

He is now asking for young recruits to follow in his slipstream by joining his swimming club.

But Mr Reeves believes better facilities are needed to encourage teenagers into the pool.

He said: "There used to be a gorgeous 50m pool on the seafront called the SS Brighton. There was also one in North Road, which has been replaced by the Prince Regent.

"What Brighton needs is a 50m pool like every other big town or city. There aren't even any plans for one at the marina development."

Mr Reeves, of Roedean Terrace, Brighton, worked in his teens as a lifeguard at Johnson's Bathing Station in Madeira Drive.

For this he was paid the princely sum of £1 a week, plus tips.

He went on to win numerous swimming titles and championships.

Dick is now a leading light in the Brighton Dolphins Swimming Club, which has taught generations of swimmers.

Like most children in the early Thirties, Dick was self-taught and learned to swim in the sea.

As a lifeguard he watched over some of the country's leading families, such as the Sassoons and the Mountbattens, as they bathed.

Dick, whose German wife Emma died two years ago, said: "They would change in the old bathing machines. When the sea was calm the lifeguards would sit in a boat and watch people swim."

When his family moved north, Dick went to Leeds University and he became Yorkshire county swimming champion, English Universities champion and record holder and swam at the International Universities Games. Each summer he returned to Brighton to resume his duties as lifeguard.

In 1937 he won the Brighton pier to pier swim and in 1939 he was again picked for the International Games - now called the World Universities Games.

He is also the current national record holder of the 50m freestyle title for the over 85s.

He said: "The Dolphins is a good family club and we teach anyone from five to 95 to swim. It is great exercise for any age."

For details, visit www.bdsc.co.uk or call 01323 507315.