FENLAND District Council is offering free swimming for older and younger people as an incentive to encourage them to get active. Residents aged 60 and over and young people aged under 17 will benefit from the council decision to offer free swimming from A

FENLAND District Council is offering free swimming for older and younger people as an incentive to encourage them to get active.

Residents aged 60 and over and young people aged under 17 will benefit from the council decision to offer free swimming from April 1 2009.

The cost to council tax payers will be neutral as funding for the initiative is being provided by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).

The free swimming initiative has been introduced in the build-up to the Olympics Games in London in 2012.

It is estimated that the free swimming offer will boost the number of swimmers in these age categories by 30 per cent. With three excellent swimming pools in March, Wisbech and Whittlesey it is hoped that more swimmers from outside of the target groups will attend as well.

Cllr Steve Garratt, Portfolio Holder for Health and Future Generations, said: "Swimming is still the UK's number one indoor exercise and we are keen to encourage people of all ages to take part. This initiative will make it more attractive for people to take the plunge and get active 5 times a week.