A POPULAR free swimming scheme for the younger and older people in Sandwell is set to continue.

Those under the age of 16 and under living in the borough can currently swim for free at any public swimming session at Sandwell leisure centres in the school holidays, while people aged 60-plus can also swim for free up to 1pm every day, all year round.

More than 7,500 adults and 28,000 children and young people have become members of the scheme – which is set to be extended for another two years – since it was launched in June 2013.

A report on the proposed extension of the free swimming programme is due to go before Sandwell Council’s cabinet on Wednesday (March 21).

Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member, said: “We want to extend our free public swimming scheme, which has been a great success over the past five years.

“Swimming is not only fun but also has big benefits for people’s physical and mental health.

“I am pleased we are now able to put forward proposals to extend the scheme until 2020, working with Sandwell Leisure Trust and Places for People Leisure which run swimming centres in Sandwell.”