Three Rivers District Council is about to take the plunge and offer free swimming to everyone over 60 and young people and children under 19 years of age.

iSwimforFree in Three Rivers is linked to the nationwide Change4Life campaign, and aims to get people to lead more active, healthy lives in the run up to London 2012.

Free swimming will be available from 1 April during public swimming sessions at Sir James Altham Pool in South Oxhey, at Watford Leisure Centre, Woodside, and William Penn Leisure Centre once the new pools are completed.

Leisure Portfolio Holder, Councillor Chris Whately-Smith, said:

"The Council has been successfully running free swimming for under 19s during school holidays for the past two years, as well as providing free swimming for schools in South Oxhey for over a decade. Being able to provide more free swimming for young people with the addition of making it available for residents over 60 is marvellous and feels like the next step to take in encouraging even more people to take the plunge."

Rebecca Adlington, swimming's double Olympic gold medallist, said:

"I'm backing the free swimming initiative because it's a great way to encourage more people into the pool.

"No matter what your age, swimming is an amazing sport and a great way to stay fit and healthy. I look forward to seeing pools up and down the country being used to their full potential and maybe even creating Olympic stars of the future!

"Swimming is one of the most popular ways for people in this country to keep fit. Your body works harder in the water, so 30 minutes in the pool is worth 45 minutes activity on dry land. This is a great way of staying healthy, however good a swimmer you are. And it's low impact, which makes it great for people who have problems with their joints or find exercise difficult."

Three Rivers District Council is one of almost 300 councils across England to take part in the Government's free swimming scheme. The £140 million programme lasts for two years and is a central part of plans to ensure a lasting legacy from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Further details on the scheme and how to register for iSwimforFree can be found at www.iswimforfree.co.uk or by calling Three Rivers District Council on 01923 776611.