AWARD-winning young swimmer Sian Brookes and her mum Karen have pledged their support to the Dorset Echo-backed Swim for Free campaign.

Six-year-old Sian, who suffers from cerebral palsy, caused a splash last September when she won a national bronze award for her progress in her able-bodied swimming class at Weymouth Swimming Pool.

The Southill youngster has gained so much from swimming and she is hoping others will also benefit as she backs to our campaign for free swimming for all children and pensioners.

Sian’s proud mum Karen said: “Swimming has been a godsend for Sian and made her more independent.

“If swimming were made free it would give even more children the chance to experience those benefits.”

The Swim for Free campaign was launched in response to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s decision to reject a Government scheme – adopted by 82 per cent of councils nationwide – to introduce free swimming for under-16s and over-60s.

Mrs Brookes said she was particularly keen to see more youngsters given access to swimming.

She said: “I have been taking Sian since she was six months old, and she’s been doing lessons since she was three.

“She really loves it and I also take my younger daughter Chelsea, who’s four.

“Swimming should be for everyone. It’s good exercise for children too, even if it just gets them away from their computer or television screens for an hour.

“It’s also a good way of socialising, both of my daughters have made friends through swimming.”

Age Concern volunteer Norah Riley-Smith, who launched the free swimming campaign, said she has already collected dozens of signatures for her petition and has been delighted with the response.

She said: “It’s going very well. Everybody is signing quite happily and some people are absolutely appalled by the situation.

“I spoke to one elderly lady who goes swimming three times a week but says she can no longer afford it on her pension.

“I have also spoken to school mothers whose children are on school holidays and none of them refused to sign.”

Mrs Riley-Smith is planning to visit doctor’s surgeries and local Women’s Institute groups to drum up further support and leave petitions for others to sign.

She has promised not to relent with her campaign as she hopes to make the council reconsider its decision to reject the proposals free swimming.

“The feeling coming across is very, very strong. That’s why I’m pulling out all the stops on this one and I’m working really hard.

“The council has got to think again on this. Why should we fall behind the rest of the country?”

The petition is available at the Age Concern shop in Hope Street, Weymouth. If anyone would like a copy of the petition to gather signatures in their business, shop, workplace or community please call the Echo newsdesk on 01305 830995.