IF you are aged under 17 or over 60, get ready to dive into your local leisure centre and take advantage of a great new initiative for anyone who likes to take a dip. Free swimming is being made available to these groups from April 1 at Fenland District C

IF you are aged under 17 or over 60, get ready to dive into your local leisure centre and take advantage of a great new initiative for anyone who likes to take a dip.

Free swimming is being made available to these groups from April 1 at Fenland District Council's three pools in Whittlesey, March and Wisbech.

The scheme is part of the council's drive to help people improve their health and fitness.

Anyone eligible for free entry simply has to turn up to sessions that are suitable for their age group and fill in a standard form, including their date of birth, and they will be given a card to bring to each visit.

To check the times of suitable sessions, see the council's website, www.fenland.gov.uk, or call into the local leisure centre.

Councillor Steve Garratt, portfolio holder with responsibility for health and young people, says: "Fenland has embraced this free scheme, making our pools more accessible than ever before to both young and older people. Being active is vital for staying healthy and swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can take. So get down to your local pool and dive in."

The scheme provides people with an ideal opportunity to limber up for next month's Swimathon 2009, a nationwide charity event billed as "the world's largest fundraising swim".

The George Campbell Leisure Centre in March is among more than 500 pools around the country taking part in the event, which runs from April 16-19. It seeks to help thousands of terminally ill patients by raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

For more details on how to take part, contact the George Campbell Leisure Centre: 01354 622399.