CHILDREN have been banned from wearing goggles in school swimming lessons in a health and safety move condemned by parents.

Oxfordshire County Council last night defended its no-goggle policy and said it reflected national guidance provided by sports bodies.

But parents and swimmers said it was a bit extreme.

The council refused to confirm why and when it decided to ban the goggles, but one parent believed it was a recent decision following concerns children might hurt themselves if goggles snap on to their faces.

The parent said children now had to have medical reasons if their child wanted to wear them.

Asked for the reason for the ban, council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “This local authority, like others throughout the UK, reflects to schools the national guidance provided by various governing sport bodies on this issue.

“These organisations include The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), the Swimming Teachers Association (STA), the Association for Physical Education and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management.”

Oxfordshire is not alone in banning goggles.

Last year, Leicestershire County Council advised schools of the “dangerous” eyewear which it said could snap back in children’s faces, or make them bump into one another due to reduced peripheral vision. Hertfordshire County Council has done the same.

Danni McFadden, 13, of Balfour Road in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, thought it seemed a bit over the top. She said: “It hurts my eyes if we swim without them and I go in the water.”

Her mother Carmel Ryan said: “I remember being a child and I thought it was great swimming underwater. It makes swimming more fun. The professional swimmers wear goggles.

“It’s a bit nutty.

“If they think someone is messing around with them, they should correct it. They do protect the eyes.”

Zilah Grant, 24, of Smith’s Wharf, Wantage, takes her son Khian, three, swimming regularly as it helps him with his disabilities.

She said: “I do not think it is very wise of them to do it. Goggles bring the fun into swimming as you can see each other under water.”

The ASA said it did not have a strict policy on goggle use, but offered guidance to pool operators and parents.

The STA said children should be encouraged to not wear goggles in swimming lessons, but recognised they may be necessary for medical or other reasons. It added that goggles should meet British standards and fit correctly.