Free swimming for senior citizens returns to Burnley and Padiham (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Free swimming for senior citizens returns to Burnley and Padiham

5:00pm Saturday 31st March 2012 in Padiham

PART-time free swimming looks set to return for Burnley and Padiham senior citizens, it has been confirmed by town hall leisure bosses.

Proposals for free under-16s swimming were first suggested by Labour councillors, at this year’s budget meeting, then adopted by the Liberal Democrat administration.

Lib Dems then pledged to return free swimming for the over-60s, which would have cost just over £30,000.

The compromise solution, which will be discussed by the executive next week, will be offering free OAP sessions on four days a week, for limited periods.

Starting on April 10, the programme will apply on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9.30am to 11.30am, and Fridays and Sundays only from 2pm to 4pm.

Free bus travel will be available for each of the selected timings, for both St Peter’s and Padiham Leisure Centres.

Mick Cartledge, the borough council’s community services director, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to present these plans to the executive for their consideration.

“Bringing back free swimming for under 16s will benefit the lives and health of many of our younger residents, and we hope to achieve the same by widening the offer to our over 60s.”

Free swimming was previously available to both under 16s and over 60s, at the two leisure centres, before funding was withdrawn by the coalition government more than 18 months ago.