Golden girl Ellie Simmonds hits out at free swimming axe

The move marks the end of seven years of free swimming for under-16s. The scheme was first introduced to improve youngsters' health and cash-strapped families.

And paralympic gold medallist Ellie, from Aldridge, backed the initiative when it was launched back in 2008.

She has now reacted to the decision and spoken of the importance that local swimming pools had in her development.

Walsall Council bosses said the scheme was no longer financially viable and, from January 1, a standard fee of £2 will be introduced for children to swim at any of the borough's baths.

Ellie, aged 21, said: "It is disappointing to hear that Walsall are stopping free swimming for children.

"Being able to swim is an important life skill and I have always felt that everyone should be able to swim.

"The use of public swimming baths has been a very important part of my life and my career.

"It is good to see that they have set a lower fixed price for children and hopefully at some point in the future will bring back free swimming so that the children of the borough can enjoy at no cost the benefits of the exercise and fun that swimming is."

Ellie won two golds at the Beijing Games aged just 13 and then two more in London in 2012. She also became the youngest recipient of an MBE at 14, and then an OBE four years later.

Councillor Anthony Harris, leisure chief, said the council, along with Public Health England, had spent £700,000 on the free swimming programme but that it was 'not sustainable in the current climate' to continue funding at that level.

He described the new charge as still one of the lowest in the West Midlands and that special offers would be brought in to allow regular swimmers access at reduced admission fees.

"Walsall has to save £85 million over the next four years and unfortunately we can no longer afford to continue with free swimming," said Councillor Harris.

"We are committed to encouraging as many children to swim as regularly as possible and will continue to support those children and families that want to exercise."

He said the council's leisure discount scheme, Move-It, would still be available for £1 a visit, which represented 'fantastic value'.

More than 30,000 children have taken advantage of the scheme since it was rolled out at Walsall Gala Baths, Oak Park Leisure Centre and Darlaston Swimming Pool.

The authority pledged to continue free swimming until 'at least next spring' in January, stating that affordability was the key to encouraging more young people and their families to enjoy swimming.

The extension of the scheme for another year was recognition of that, it was said.

In a further cost-cutting exercise, it was announced last month that Walsall's leisure centres will be taken out of the hands of the council to save £500,000.