FREE swimming for children and older people in Colchester will continue this summer, despite the loss of grant cash.

The previous Government introduced a national free swimming programme for under 16s and over-60s, which was supposed to run until March next year.

Local authorities were given funding to compensate for the fall in income, but the new Government has stopped the money from July 31.

After a review of budgets, council chiefs in Colchester have decided to keep the scheme going until September 6.

From September 7, customers who currently go free will pay £2.40 for sessions in the fitness pool and training pool.

The leisure pool was not included in the original Government offer and prices will be unaffected.

The council will not have to find extra cash to put into the scheme and instead will simply resign itself to making less cash during the summer.