FREE SWIMMING FOR 16s AND UNDER EXTENDED BY CHESHIRE EAST

Cheshire East Council is to fund free swimming for 16s and under for an extra month.

This follows a government announcement to withdraw ‘Swim Free’ on July, 31.

Cheshire East Council has agreed to extend the scheme for 16s and under, to allow as many children as possible to enjoy free swimming during the school holidays.

Although no longer free, swimming for those aged 60 and over will remain inexpensive at all Cheshire East’s leisure facilities, with a number of cost-effective alternative options available, for example:

• Everybody Options – The Cheshire East Council concessionary leisure card scheme which gives savings of 50% off the full adult rate for a range of activities at swimming pools, sports centres and other leisure facilities across the Cheshire East area. This is available to both under 16s and over 60s.

• Everybody Health and Fitness – a low-cost monthly Direct Debit payment option which allows anyone unlimited use of Cheshire East’s leisure facilities during public opening times and starts from just £19 per month for both 16s and under and the over 60s.

For more information, local residents are advised to visit www.everybody.org.uk or talk to staff at their local leisure centre about the options available.

More than 30,000 people had signed up for free swimming, with the large majority of memberships belonging to the under 16s.

Cheshire East Council will continue to inform residents about the current changes via the website www.cheshireeast.gov.uk and through local leisure centres.

Cheshire East Councillor, Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said:

“I am pleased we have been able to extend free swimming for the under 16s for the majority of the school holidays. I am sure the news will be welcomed by parents and children alike.

“I urge all those who have taken up swimming as part of this scheme to continue. Free swimming remains in place for our Armed Forces, children in care and the long-term disabled.

“Cheshire East Council will do all it can to ensure the cost of swimming remains low for all local residents in the coming years. Visit our website or speak to staff at your local leisure centre and discover the wealth of options available to anyone who wants to keep fit and healthy.”