Free swim programme for over-60s

Funding could also be obtained for free children's sessions

Free swimming sessions are to be offered to people over the age of 60 in north Devon.

North Devon District Council has applied for �70,000 of government funding over the next two years to provide a swimming programme.

The sessions will be run in partnership with Parkwood Leisure, which manages the North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple on behalf of the council.

The aim is to help more people enjoy the health benefits of swimming.

The free sessions are due to begin next April.

Sport England

"Swimming is a fantastic way to keep fit and healthy," the council's David Butt said.

The council said it was also exploring the possibility of gaining funding to provide a free swimming programme for children under the age of 16.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said more than 80% of local authorities had applied for funding, which could benefit about nine million people.

The �140m initiative is being administered by Sport England.

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