Following the national launch of the government's free swimming initiative at the end of March, Link4life has introduced it at its swimming facilities in the borough of Rochdale.

The sports trust estimates that around 90,000 residents aged over 60 or under 17 will benefit. Head of Business Partnerships for the borough council, Anne Taylor, said: "The financial commitment made to free swimming presents an exciting opportunity for local people to increase their activity levels and help to improve their overall health and well-being. It is vitally important and the council is backing it every step of the way."

"Swimming is nationally the most popular participation sport," she added, "and Link4Life will be working over the coming weeks to introduce and manage the new scheme and to encourage more people to take it up now that it is free. We will also be looking at opportunities in the future to extend free swimming to everyone." Free swimming sessions will be available at Link4Life pools in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Castleton.

The launch also marks the second anniversary since the launch of Link4Life in 2007. "Since Link4Life was launched, over £30m has been committed over three years to improve facilities," said Link4Life Managing Director, Craig McAteer.

"The prestigious new £15m Middleton Arena has opened and work is about to start on site on the new £10m Heywood Sports, Culture and Leisure Village - and a new pool and leisure complex is in the pipeline for central Rochdale. "The trust has played a crucial role in helping to deliver on these projects and secure their funding."