Charnwood Council's cabinet has agreed a recommendation to provide free swimming at the council's three leisure facilities, including the Syston pool, from April 2009 in a bid to attract more first time swimmers and encourage others to swim more frequently.

In July The Government announced a £140m national funding opportunity, which invited local authorities to bid for cash to provide free swimming to people aged 60 and above.

Charnwood Council has secured government grant funding for two years starting from April to enable free swimming.

Council officials are now in discussion with Serco Ltd, the leisure management contractor operating the council's leisure centres, to agree a package of activities for free swimming.

Councillor Peter Lewis, cabinet lead member for leisure, said: "I'm really keen to see our council play its full part in this free swimming initiative. Swimming is already a popular activity for over 60s. I'm a firm believer this will encourage people not only to take up swimming for the first time but also enable others to do so more frequently.

"The potential health benefits here are thoroughly positive. The physical benefits of swimming are widely recognised and are particularly beneficial to older residents and those with mobility problems.

"In the current economic climate we can also offer practical support to a growing number of people in our community who are feeling very nervous financially."