FREE swimming sessions for over-60s and under-16s are to be scrapped at the end of the month – leading to a council setting up a new scheme to help residents save money.

Government cutbacks announced this week have led to the free sessions being stopped from July 31.

Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils were among many authorities nationwide to provide free swimming when the scheme was introduced under the previous Labour regime last year. Wycombe District Council did not sign up, saying the scheme would be too costly.

More than 7,000 people in the Chiltern district signed up for free sessions – with some going swimming every week.

This week Chiltern District Council announced savings could be made by swimmers eligible for the previous scheme buying a community leisure card.

They cost £13 and are valid for one year from the date of issue – and anybody with a card will have the price of a swim reduced from £2.50 to £1.80.

Alternatively swimming membership cards, available at a monthly £14 rate or £140 for an annual card, are also available. These allow free access during all public swim sessions and now include use of the leisure pool.

The council said during August all registered 'free swim' members will be able to take out the community leisure card for £10, and receive a free swim on the day they take out the membership.

For details on where the cards can be used, go to www.nexuscommunity.org.