Making a splash

That's the message from Shepway District Council as free swimming for anyone aged 60 and over or 16 and under starts on 1 April.

Shepway Free Splash invites people from across the district for a free swim at Hythe Pool or for specially-tailored sessions at Folkestone Sports Centre.

Shepway District Council tapped in to new government funding to make sure local people have access to a free swimming initiative in council-owned pools

In Shepway, the only council-owned pool is at Hythe, so it looked like the popular pool at the Folkestone Sports Centre, which is owned by an independent charitable trust, was going to lose out.

But the council has agreed a deal with NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent that will see an additional £40,000 a year being put in to the scheme, which will enable free water based activity sessions at the Folkestone Sports Centre too.

Cllr Carole Waters, Cabinet Member for Sport and Culture, said swimming was a wonderful way to get fit and stay healthy.

"I hope lots of young and older people will seize this opportunity. Most of us need to exercise more and swimming is a safe, enjoyable and effective way of getting into shape - and staying fit."

At Hythe Pool eligible age groups can enjoy free swimming whenever the pool is open for public swimming sessions. Just make sure you take along proof of your age.

The NHS-funded sessions at Folkestone Sports Centre aim to help people get fit and stay healthy. Just ask for an application form for one of the specific free sessions:

• Grandparent and Child Water confidence course
• Over 60s Learn to Swim Course
• Over 60s Water Aerobics
• Family Water Walkers fun time
• Cool 2B Fit: add on to Gym or the Core
• Teen Fun Weekend Swim

Pick up a information sheet with more details from council offices, Hythe Pool or Folkestone Sports Centre; visit www.shepway.gov.uk or contact Folkestone Sports Centre on 01303 850222 or Hythe Pool on 01303 269177