SUPER swimmer Luke Budgen is only eight but he's already training to be a lifeguard.

Luke is aiming high after completing a gruelling 128 lengths of Basingstoke Sports Centre's 25m pool last week, earning him the latest in a host of swimming certificates.

Now Luke, of Belle Vue Road, Old Basing, is learning how to be a lifeguard in a class of children three and four years older than him. He has already passed the first stage of the course.

Luke's mother Christine said: "It's amazing really at his age. He's learning not just about swimming, but also about first aid. He enjoys that as well, and he's learning quite a bit from it."

She added: "I think he feels life-guarding would be something he could do part-time in the future, if not as a job. I'm sure it will come in useful."

St Mary's School pupil Luke started learning to swim when he was just six months old and has progressed through a series of courses at Basingstoke Sports Centre, amassing an impressive collection of certificates.

Sporty Luke also plays tennis and football and has a brown belt in karate, but Mrs Budgen said swimming is her son's favourite activity.

"He seems to enjoy it a lot. Swimming is what he shines in. Luke's very competitive and whatever he does he wants to do well in, but it doesn't stop him enjoying it though."

"He loves snorkelling and scuba diving as well - he's like a little Man from Atlantis," she added.