Free swimming sessions have been making a splash in Oxford’s pools — with official figures showing that more than 20,000 people have taken advantage of the offer since April.

Figures for the first three months of the Government-backed scheme show over-60s accounted for 7,178 free swims, while under-17s visited pools 16,083 times.

Oxford City Council was one the first in the UK to offer free swimming for under-17s, in 2006.

And since April, older people have benefited for the first time.

None of the other councils in Oxfordshire have followed suit.

Cherwell, the Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire and South Oxfordshire district councils have all refused to participate in the scheme, saying it would cost them too much.

City councillor Bob Timbs, executive member for leisure and sport, said: “I think it’s great — this scheme has really helped kids to keep fit, they can go swimming with their friends, it keeps them off the street and best of all, it’s free.

“A lot of children still probably don’t realise they can get free swimming in Oxford.

“This is something that was well worth doing — what better way to spend the summer holidays than taking out a couple of hours and going for a swim.”

Sue Holden, secretary of the Barton Community Association, said the free swimming sessions had always been a hit with younger residents on the estate.

But she said more older people were beginning to take up the activity.

She said: “It’s fantastic for the kids to have something like this to do in the summer holidays.

“It has been quite a slow process, but older people are gradually realising they can go swimming for free.

“From speaking to people around the estate you can tell how popular it is.”

The national two-year programme has been backed by £140m from the Government — with a further £10m on offer to rebuild pool facilities as a sweetener for those councils that sign up.

Figures from the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport show that, across the country, young people have enjoyed 2.8 million free swims and older people 1.6 million since the launch of the programme.

More than 250 councils are taking part in the scheme.