Don’t forget kids swim for free

KEEPING the kids occupied and active over half term doesn’t have to cost you a penny extra if you send them swimming.

Local leisure centres are offering FREE swimming sessions and lessons to children and young people under 16, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government’s school holiday free swimming scheme.

The £2.5m idea has proved a great success - with more than two million swims taken up around Wales since Labour introduced the scheme in 2003.

This half term, and every school holiday, it’s the kids who can splash out so Mum and Dad don’t have to. Bridgend children can get fit, stay active and have fun over the school holidays without parents getting hit in the pocket.

Local leisure centres are offering free swimming sessions and lessons during the half term break and I’d encourage as many parents and children to get involved as possible.

Welsh Labour wants more of Bridgend’s children and young people to use their local leisure centre. Free swimming is a way of making sure every local child gets a chance to use the pool or even learn to swim over the holidays.

It sends out all the right messages to children about staying fit and active. Labour is committed to encouraging healthy lifestyles which are so important for the health of the nation.

I would like to thank the local leisure centres for taking part in this scheme and especially the staff who take such good care of all the extra visitors.

The whole point of this Welsh Labour idea is to help families that might have been put off by the cost to use and enjoy their local leisure centres. I am delighted the scheme has proved to be a huge success in Bridgend and hope this continues.