The Government’s free swimming offer has proved so popular with local residents that Wandsworth has recorded the capital’s highest take-up rate.

During the first three months of the scheme, which launched in April, more than 40,000 people took up the offer with a further 13,000 signing up in July.

Wandsworth’s four leisure centres have all taken part in the scheme with only Tooting Bec Lido not taking part Pensioners and under-16s can swim completely free at any of the borough’s council-run pools, Balham, Latchmere, Putney and Tooting, until April 2011.

The scheme has proved especially popular with young people - in April alone 21,423 young people signed up.

Wandsworth Council has been given a grant by the government to cover part of the cost.

The Brighter Borough is one of 259 local authorities taking part in the scheme.

Councillor Rosemary Torrington said: “This is an excellent scheme and we would urge those eligible to take advantage of it. Wandsworth has four leisure centres with pools, so there should be one within easy reach of everyone.”

Nationwide, 4.4m free swims were taken in the three months up to July.

Have you swum for free? Was it worth it? Let us know your thoughts at wandsworthguardian.co.uk