SHE has been teaching generations of residents to swim for more than three decades.

Now swimming instructor Bren Palk is having up the goggles.

Bren, who became a swim teacher 32 years ago at the old Romsey Crosfield Hall swimming pool has taught many in the market town how to breast stoke, front crawl and doggy paddle.

She later joined Romsey Rapids, which replaced the pool at Crosfield Hall, and went on to see out its life with Valley Leisure.

Over the years she has taught near on 11,000 children to swim; Bren has also taught many people lifesaving skills as an instructor and as secretary of the Romsey Life Saving Club.

And last month Bren retired. A small gathering of fellow teachers and family wished her well with tea and cake reception at te Rapids.

She can now concentrate on those tricky crosswords and keep active with her bell ringing which she shares with husband and fellow retiree John, whom she recently toasted her golden wedding anniversary with.