A YEOVIL couple have blasted South Somerset District Council after the withdrawal of free swimming sessions for pensioners.

John and Jenny Pitman, both 67, of Southway Drive, say the council could have done more to continue the concession following a cut in funding from central government.

HARD HIT: John and Jenny Pitman of Yeovil with the card that entitled them to free swimming at Goldenstones pool, until the scheme was scrapped in response to government cuts
GOLDEN- STONES POOL: Funding that supported free swimming for the over-65s has now been withdrawn

The couple discovered the service had been withdrawn when Mrs Pitman went to Goldenstones pool for a swim and was refused free entry.

She was asked to hand in the card she had been issued, entitling her to the concession. A notice at the pool explaining the situation had to be pointed out to her.

Mr Pitman said: "We knew it was a two-year programme and we were gearing up for next March when it might not continue.

"But we had no notice that it was going to end. Why didn't they write to us?"

Introduced in April 2009, free swimming for over-60s also operated at Crewkerne Aqua Centre, Cresta Leisure Centre in Chard and Wincanton Leisure Centre.

The scheme was axed in South Somerset on July 31 after £58,000 of funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport was withdrawn.

West Dorset District Council is offering free swimming for residents over 60 at pools in Sherborne, Beaminster and Bridport until next April.

Taunton Deane Borough Council have continued free swimming for under-16s and over-65s at pools in Taunton and Wellington until August 31.

South Somerset District Council said it was introducing a concessionary membership rate, but Mr and Mrs Pitman condemned the move as short-sighted.

They say the scheme was a big success, and more than 2,000 people had signed up for the free swim card.

Mr Pitman said: "I feel this is a cut which is hitting one section of the population in particular. They are cutting this at the same time as they are spending thousands on surveys for the Sports Zone.

"That project could cost £28 million in total. It is ridiculous. Compared to this figure the amount they have spent on swimming for OAPs is a drop in the ocean."

A district council spokeswoman said officers were writing to people who have signed up to the scheme. She said: "We couldn't do this until it was confirmed we weren't going to make any further changes.

"When we entered into the (free swimming) agreement it was based on external funding.

"When the funding was withdrawn we were faced with having to sacrifice something else to pay for it."