YOUNGSTERS and the over 60s are being allowed to swim for free in Cradley Heath and Langley again.

Sandwell Council is bringing back free public swimming sessions for people aged 16 and under during school holidays and the over 60s will be able to swim for nothing until 1pm all year round.

However, residents in Halesowen hoping to take advantage of the offers have been warned free swimming is only be available to Sandwell residents.

Haden Hill Leisure Centre in Cradley Heath and Langley Swimming Centre are including in the scheme along with Smethwick and Tipton Leisure Centres.

Councillor Paul Moore, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, announced the return of free swimming after it was withdrawn three years ago.

He said: “The current government's cuts brought an end to free public swimming sessions in Sandwell.

“However, the council took over responsibility for public health on April 1 this year – and, using public health funds, I am pleased to say we are once again in a position to cover the cost of some free swimming for our youngest and oldest residents.

“This follows significant savings having been achieved when public health transferred from the former primary care trust to the council.”

He added: “Swimming is a great form of exercise. We hope residents aged 16 and under and 60 and over will take up these sessions.

“By offering free swimming to young people during the school holidays, we are helping them to do more physical activity and boost their health, as well as adding to our already extensive holiday activities programme.”

He added: “Given the scale of the Government’s public sector cuts, unfortunately we can't offer free swimming to everyone and this will be a pilot scheme – we’ll be keeping a close eye on the project and seeing how popular it proves with our residents.”

Chief executive of Sandwell Leisure Trust, Paul Slater, added: “We are delighted to be supporting Sandwell Council’s free swimming initiative at SLT pools.

“We hope that more young people and over-60s take up this opportunity to become more physically active by swimming more frequently.”

Further details of the scheme will be announced following expected approval from Cabinet this week.