PEOPLE who are eligible to swim for free at Langley, Haden Hill and Cradley Heath leisure centres rare being asked to give their views to Sandwell Council.

Youngsters aged 16 and under in Sandwell can swim for free at any of the public swimming session at borough leisure centres in the school holidays, while older people – aged 60-plus – can also swim for free up to 1pm daily all year round.

The council has launched a survey on to find out what customers think of Sandwell’s free swimming scheme.

The survey will run until Friday, September 8, and can be completed online at www.sandwell.gov.uk/swimming.

Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure services, said: “Sandwell’s free swimming scheme was launched in June 2013, and since then over 6,000, eligible adults and over 23,000 children and young people have become members of the scheme.

“Participating in 30 minutes of physical activity or sports per week provides residents with significant health benefits from reducing the likelihood of having a stroke, reduces blood pressure, reduces the likelihood of suffering from a blood clot, improves cholesterol levels, and promotes mental health and wellbeing.

“The survey is trying to get an understanding of the health benefits the free swimming offer has had for those who use the scheme.

"So I urge people who swim for free to fill in the survey so that we can get a better understanding of what people think of the scheme and how it has helped them with their overall health and wellbeing.”