Alun Davies welcomed changes announced by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government to extend the scheme and said it encouraged tens of thousands of young people to take regular exercise free of charge.

A change to the minimum criteria of the current scheme, means that local authorities including Powys County Council will now offer free swimming sessions or other leisure centre activities for children aged 16 and under on weekends as well as school holidays.

Alun said:

"Free swimming has been an extremely popular policy since it was introduced in 2004 by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

"These changes will make the scheme even more widely available so young people can benefit all year round.

"Free swimming allows youngsters to learn an important skill especially in a county like Powys with its lakes and rivers. Swimming is an enjoyable leisure activity and this new measure will encourage a healthy lifestyle at no extra cost."

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