THE future of free swimming for thousands of Oxford children and pensioners will be decided today after Government funding for the scheme dried up.

More than 7,000 under-17s and over-60s regularly enjoy a free swim at a municipal pool, and more than 74,000 free swims were taken under the Oxford City Council scheme last year.

The programme has proved so successful it was awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark, which recognises outstanding projects helping deliver a lasting legacy from the Olympic Games.

But the Government has axed support for the scheme and the £100,000 funding cut will hit this year’s city council budget. Council leaders meet today to decide the scheme’s future.

The council says it hopes to continue to allow youngsters to swim for free, but free swims for over-60s look more doubtful.

It costs £2.10 for a concessionary swim at four of the five council-run pools – Temple Cowley, Barton, Blackbird Leys and Ferry – and £3.10 at Hinksey Pool.

But under-17s and those aged over 60 can get a special ‘slice card’ that gives them unlimited free swimming.

Mary Sugden, 75, from Iffley, who is a regular swimmer at Barton Pool and a member of the Sunday Larks swimming group for older people, said: “It is a good thing for elderly people to go swimming.

“I think it is better than anything for keeping fit because the water gives you support.”

She said some elderly people would stop swimming if they had to pay.

But Major Terry Roper, 61, who regularly swims at Barton Pool, said: “I could well afford to pay for swimming. It’s a luxury and when this country is back on its feet it might be able to pay for it again.”

The over-60s scheme, introduced in April 2009, has 2,200 signed on, who between them took 30,842 free swims last year.

Free swimming for under-17s was introduced in 2006 – before Government funding began – and more than 5,000 are signed up, taking 43,700 free swims last year.

Jan van der Schootbrugge, a member of City of Oxford Swimming Club whose 17-year-old son Sam will compete in the European Junior Championships next month, said: “Anything that encourages children into the water is a good thing for the whole community.”

City council leader Bob Price said: “I am pretty confident we can carry on with the under-17 scheme because it tackles deprivation and obesity with young people and opens up facilities without the burden of cost.

“The over-60s scheme is more doubtful. We have to look at the implications of carrying on without funding and we are waiting for figures from officers.”

A statement from the Department of Media, Culture and Sport, said: “With the unprecedented levels of debt facing the country we have regrettably had to take the difficult decision to end the free swimming programme.”