You couldn't invent it, could you?

Lifeguards at a pool in Northumberland are apparently claiming that floats used to help children learn to swim are dangerous and should be banned. It seems that the owner of the pool has agreed, and has also introduced the ban at other pools nearby.

Some have suggested that it is because bacteria could be passed from child to child. This is odd as the water is supposed to control microbes. If it doesn't, should the pools be used? If it does, will the chemical not control the microbes on hand, arms and bodies and also on the floats?

Whatever the reason, we have the ludicrous situation that a child's safety could be compromised, either because he tries to learn without aids (- some pools have beams with trailing belts, presumably these would be banned as well), or because he gives up the attempt to learn.

This is surely the most blatant example of health and safety gone mad!