Pensioners’ groups have hit out at Government plans to scrap the free swimming programme as part of national cost-cutting measures.

The two-year scheme for under-16s and over-60s will end in July and will save £5 million after being branded a “luxury we can no longer afford”.

“This is not a decision that gives me any pleasure,” said Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and Olympics.

“However, the research shows that the great majority of free swimmers were swimming already, and would have paid to swim anyway.”

The take-up of free swimming was more in Bradford than anywhere else in West Yorkshire, leading to an increase in swimming numbers of 13 per cent on the previous year.

The scheme itself began in April last year and in its first year saw 80,050 free swims being taken by the over-60s and 272,831 by the under 16s in Bradford Council-run swimming pools.

Jean Walker, of Bradford and District Senior Power, said she was disappointed.

“I appreciate that savings need to be made,” she said. “But I think the Government should look hard at which groups they are hitting the hardest. This will hit older people from both a welfare and health point of view.

“Our members enjoy swimming. It not only provides health benefits but can also help alleviate loneliness.

“Many people are already finding it hard as they use their savings and the interest to supplement their pensions – so this would be an extra cost that has been landed on them.”

Audrey Raistrick, of Neighbourly Care Bradford, said: “The Government is determined to strike at anything they can and this is an easy target. This could be just the beginning for cuts that will affect pensioners. Next they will be after our free bus passes.”

And Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, who introduced the scheme when he was Sports Minister, said: “Clearly, I am shocked and saddened by the decision when councils of all political persuasions supported free swimming and now the Government is going to cut it.

"It is not a massive amount of money but the benefits meant it was a programme to invest in and then expand.”