PM pledges free swimming for over-60s

The culture secretary has outlined plans to give over-60s free access to swimming pools, with access possibly extended to all by 2012.

The move is designed to see two million more people taking part in sport ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

In the first stage of the programme, local authorities are to be given £80m next year to scrap charges for the over-60s and £50m for maintenance.

Andy Burnham indicated that future funding will be provided to allow free entry to under-16s, then to everyone by 2012.

Precise details of how the scheme will be delivered will be agreed over the summer, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said on Friday.

Burnham said: "Offering free swimming is just the kind of imaginative action required to make us a more active nation by 2012.

"We have chosen swimming because its appeal is universal. It is the perfect antidote to the couch potato culture."