Parents were last night celebrating after winning their battle to save swimming classes which teach babies life-saving skills.

Lauren Heston, founder of Little Dippers, is now hoping to expand the business and is on the look-out for new premises to accommodate the scores of babies on the waiting list.

Lauren, a professional diver, had feared she would be forced to abandon classes in Tongdean Road, Hove, if Brighton and Hove city councillors had refused to grant planning permission at yesterday's meeting.

The classes teach babies to swim under water with their parents and have been featured in television documentaries.

Neighbours in the quiet residential area blamed the classes for causing traffic congestion, making the road too busy. They submitted a petition with 95 signatures.

Speaking after the meeting Lauren, 47, of Gloucester Road, Brighton, said: "We are so pleased with the decision. We don't want to cause stress for anybody, we just want to give children these vital skills which could save their lives."

The committee was narrowly split with seven members voting in favour and five against.

Councillor Francis Tonks said he hoped the classes would go on to produce swimming champions. He said: "In a seaside resort like ours we need to get children swimming for their own safety. I support this application utterly."