FREE sessions in the pool are already going down swimmingly with residents of Melbourn. As reported in The Crow last month, South Cambridgeshire District Council has chosen to partake in a Government initiative providing free swimming for children and

FREE sessions in the pool are already going down swimmingly with residents of Melbourn.

As reported in The Crow last month, South Cambridgeshire District Council has chosen to partake in a Government initiative providing free swimming for children and the elderly.

The scheme got underway last week, and Graham Johnson-Mack, manager of the McSplash Pool in Melbourn, said there has already been a lot of interest in registering for free swimming passes.

He said: "It's mainly been older people so far. We've had quite a few new swimmers join, which is good as many of them are coming back to swimming after a break.

"We're hoping that a few more young people will take up the offer as well, especially now the holidays have started."

The free swimming offer is part of the Government's plans for the 2012 Olympics.

Cllr Jaime Dipple, South Cambridgeshire District Council's champion of the Olympics, has been visiting all the pools in the district during the last few days.

She said: "Swimming is a great way to keep active and anyone can do it. I hope that free swimming for our under 16s and over 60s will be an incentive to keep fit and have fun at their local pool."

To register, visit the McSplash pool and pick up an application form. Although North Herts District Council is not offering free swimming, residents of the district are welcome to use the Melbourn pool instead.