FREE swimming has been extended to disabled people at the leisure centre pool in Dorchester.

West Dorset District Council has introduced the concession on top of free sessions for the under 16s and over 60s.

Pat Aplin, who takes disabled people swimming, welcomed the move at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre in Coburg Road.

She said: “I am very pleased.

“It is wonderful and well worth disabled people taking advantage.

“I am sure that the leisure centre will be very accommodating with two permanent hoists for each pool.”

The move has been introduced for disabled people of all ages during public sessions.

The council also aims to introduce lessons for young people with disabilities as well as free lessons for people aged 11 to 16 and over 60 who cannot swim.

Mrs Aplin said it was disappointing that it had taken some time for free swimming to be introduced for the disabled users of the pool but said that there were great advantages.

“There is unbelievable benefit for disabled people.

“There is one woman who has multiple sclerosis who does front crawl back and forth.

“It is just wonderful.”

Mrs Aplin and carers take groups of disabled people to the pool.

She said more were welcome but that they might need to bring their own carers or helpers if they could not get in and out of the pool unaided.

West Dorset District Council’s community enabling manager Nick Thornley said: “We intend to extend the free swimming offer to people with disabilities of all ages to March 2011 by offering free swimming during all public swimming sessions at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre to customers who have got the West Dorset disabled leisure pass.”

He added: “We will soon be providing free swimming lessons to young people with severe disabilities as part of the Dorset County Council-funded Aiming High programme. Those taking part in the lessons will be assisted in and out of the water by paid-for carers.

“This will also be providing respite for the young people’s full-time carers or parents.

“We will also be running a programme of free swimming lessons for all swimmers aged 11-16 and people over 60 who cannot swim.

“These are funded by the Amateur Swimming Association.”

The disabled leisure pass is free and is available online at dorsetforyou. com/leisurepass.

They can also be obtained by email request at leisure@westdorset-dc.gov .uk, calling 01305 252250 or writing to Community Enabling, Stratton House, 58-60 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ.

* Call Mrs Aplin on 01305 266500 for more details about disabled swimming.