THE over 60s in Bromsgrove will enjoy free swims from next spring, but the under 16s will have to wait until next month to hear if they can join them for dip.

The district council, at its September meeting last Wednesday, agreed that seniors should get the perk, but voted to hold an extraordinary meeting on October 13 to discuss the authority’s position over free swims for juniors and to give officers time to gather more information before a decision is made. The scheme will run for the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11 and will include reduced cost coaching sessions for seniors.

It is being funded by the government, which has set aside a £140m pot to encourage young and old to keep in trim by swimming. Part of the scheme allows councils to apply for cash to upgrade pools.

But this part of the offer has come too early for Bromsgrove to take advantage of.

The Dolphin Centre is nearing the end of its useful life, but a replacement cannot be built for another four or five years.

Council leader Roger Hollingworth said Bromsgrove’s share of the £140m is £31,168. The authority will review the situation when the grant runs out.

He added that the council had wanted to limit free swims to those living within the district, but the government has made it clear that the offer has to be open to everyone over 60.

Labour, which has welcomed the government initiative, believes the council should apply for a grant to regenerate the Dolphin Centre.

Cllr Hollingworth said this will be considered at the meeting in October.