FREE summer holiday swims have been lined up for Burnley and Padiham youngsters thanks to the legacy of a 19th century brewing magnate.

Pool sessions at the St Peter's Centre in Burnley and Padiham Leisure Centre for the under 16s will be covered by a grant from the Stocks Massey Trust this August, it has been confirmed.

Previously free swimming had been provided for young people across East Lancashire as part of a national government-backed scheme.

But this was axed last August when the new coalition came to power, though sessions were funded for disabled youngsters in Burnley through the borough's children's trust partnership for a time.

Coun Jeff Sumner, leisure cabinet member, said: “Learning to swim and develop those skills is not only an important life skill, it is also great fun. I’m therefore delighted that we can offer free swimming for children in August.”

Fun days are also planned for parks across the borough and the annual Scream and Shout programme is also being supported through the grant of £10,500.

The Stocks Massey bequest was originally established following the death of Edward Stocks Massey in 1909.

Alongside his brother Charles, the Brierfield-born entrepreneur established the former Massey's Brewery but died without leaving an heir.

He left a substantial endowment for the people of the borough, which is still used to support community projects, lectures and scholarships to this day.

Massey also gave his name to a gallery at Towneley Hall and, as a former choirmaster at St Luke's in Brierfield, founded a music library for Burnley.