HOTEL guests are being treated to a splashing performance from a remarkable boy.
Ben Stevens has been wowing crowds at Forest Hills at Frodsham by diving in at the deep end and swimming a length of the hotel pool – aged just 23 months.
Although not yet big enough to be allowed to swim without the aid of armbands, staff admit that young Ben is a firm favourite with the guests.
Proud grandmother and Forest Hills swimming coach Lorraine Oulton said: “Ben has been swimming since he was 10 months and he absolutely loves it.
“People who see him just can’t believe it. Everyone asks ‘how old is he?’ and when they find out they are amazed.
“We put his favourite toy in the pool and he just dives in at the deep end and swims.
“The tiles of the pool are covered in dolphins and he was scared at first as he thought they were sharks but he’s over that now.”
Swimming runs in the family as Lorraine competed at the World Masters Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield in 1995.
Although Ben is showing great potential, the London 2012 Olympics may be a few years too early for the toddler.
Lorraine added: “I’d like to let him swim without his armbands and see how he gets on but he’s just too small at the moment.
“He’s just so happy in the water and often pulls in a crowd around the pool!”
