Free swimming in Wiltshire will go

Wiltshire Council's Conservative 'Cabinet' has decided to discontinue the free swimming schemes for young people and pensioners.

Free swimming was taken up by the government as a nationwide scheme for under-16s and over 60s.

Now loss of government funding and the lack of cash in Wiltshire following the expensive move to one council means the free swims must end.

The cost of the scheme last year in Wiltshire was about half a million pounds. Most of this came from the government with a small contribution from the local health service.

The decision was made at a meeting in Salisbury on Tuesday 14th September. Options to continue free swimming for old people or young people or both were dismissed because of the expense.

So if you want a free swim and you're old enough or young enough get there quick - the scheme ends at the end of this month.