Children and people over 60 will swim for free in the borough’s two swimming pools for the next two years, in a bid to drive down rising obesity rates.

From April 1, adults over the age of 60 and children under 16 can use pools at the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Kingston and Malden Centre in New Malden, without splashing the cash.

It comes after the proportion of overweight and obese year 6 pupils increased last year.

According to Government national measurement programme figures, just over 30 per cent of Kingston’s 11 year olds were judged overweight or obese in the past academic year, up 1.7 per cent on the year before but still below the national average.

The proportion of overweight reception age children also rose from 9.7 to 10.3 per cent, although obesity levels dropped slightly.

The two year scheme has been funded by Kingston Council, Kingston Primary Care Trust and centre operator DC Leisure.

Mark Learnihan, from DC Leisure said: “As swimming is the nation’s most popular recreational activity after walking, a free swimming card will remove any price barriers and enable more people to take up exercise.”

To register for free swimming after March 16 visit kingston.gov.uk/staging/free_swimming or call the Kingfisher Leisure Centre on 020 8546 1042.