Although the thought of going scuba diving is often exotic, it has always, well, petrified me.

Most people picture crystal clear water, colourful fish, the wonders of the wide open ocean, but I have a fear of total darkness and panic at the idea of relying on a limited amount of oxygen.

When Worcester Diving Club invited me to don my flippers and take a dip in a city swimming pool, I was determined to conquer my fear.

The swimming baths, in Sansome Walk, Worcester, have been home to the club, and its 80 or so members, for more than 30 years.

The chairman and veteran diver Simon Yates is eager for more people to discover diving. For £15 you can experience a Try Dive.

The club, which is affiliated with the British Sub Aqua Club, a UK governing body, will teach you the basic skills of diving, including breathing underwater.

Simon explained that the two most important safety points are to breathe normally when you use the oxygen cylinder and remember to pop your ears, like you do when an aeroplane takes off, to re-adjust the air pressure the deeper you dive. He said: "I could teach someone to dive in a few hours, but it takes weeks to learn how to dive safely."

After the safety talk it was in the pool and on went the flippers, the mask and the oxygen cylinder that straps to your back like a rucksack.

I did not expect to be so nervous but we covered the basic signals, OK, up, down, stop, and copy me and off we went.

Simon said: "This is the only alternative sport, that you can completely relax in.

"Relax while rock climbing and you fall off but with diving the more you relax the greater the experience."

After two lengths and constant reassurance from Simon with the OK signal I was finding my feet, or my flippers at least. Each time we went under the feeling of relaxation increased. I stopped thinking about the oxygen cylinder and just watched the underwater world go by. An hour later, after attempting a couple of clumsy underwater somersaults, and a panic when I lost sight of Simon I was interested to discover the trainee diver's next step.

Simon explained: "After five or six weeks in the pool and with theory lessons to build up confidence, you can learn all the basic skills. We can train an absolute beginner up to instructor level."

The first qualification is ocean diver where you can confidently dive in shallow waters of around 20m.

The qualifications, taken as and when the diver feels ready, are as follows; sports diver, dive leader, and advanced diver.

Simon said: "As an advanced diver, you can organise trips and you look after other divers. With a good knowledge of theory and rescue skills we really encourage people take the boat and enjoy weekends away."

The club boat is in use almost all year round.

Members have been from Land's End to Mull in Scotland and major trips lined up for this year include the Isle of Wight, the Orkney Islands and Norway. Simon, however, recommends the British coast.

He said: "It can seem like a disadvantage being based in the Midlands but we just work extra hard and in fact go to many more places.

"We often go to Plymouth, Wales, Pembrokeshire and we are kind of the custodians of Gullet Quarry, in Malvern."

Once qualified, divers often find hobbies within their hobby. Simon has discovered underwater photography and was pleased to show off his recent snaps of a pike taken whilst diving in Stoney Cove, Leicestershire. Another veteran member John Cuthbertson, combines his love of caving with diving and often goes on searches for sunken wrecks.

I found the experience great fun and I was amazed at how relaxing it was. The deep, dark waters I once imaged were now crystal clear. I can't wait to don my diving suit again.

For more information on the club visit www.worcesterdivers.com or to sign up for a Try Dive contact Simon Yates on 01905 797156.