As a key player in the Government's £140m free swimming initiative, GLL is making a splash about the success of the scheme in Hackney where - in just twelve weeks - more than 50 men and women aged 60 and over have learnt to swim.

Part of a plan to leave a lasting legacy from London 2012, the two-year scheme is giving people up and down the country more opportunities to get active. Aimed at attracting nervous, non-swimmers, the Hackney scheme saw record numbers sign up this year to one of four courses delivered by GLL over the last twelve weeks, in partnership with the Amateur Swimming Association and Hackney Council.

Proving the popularity of a scheme that is set to increase demand for swimming facilities across the UK, the Hackney example also saw the social benefits for older people, as well as a way to get fit and enjoy swimming.

GLL's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Ambassador, Dervis Konuralp, congratulated the new swimmers saying, "It is obviously a social event for older people as well as a way of learning a new skill and it was great to see everyone enjoying each other's company in the water while they were learning how to swim and feel confident."

Fearing water for most of their lives, many of the new swimmers, ranging in age from 60 up to 77 years old, were looking forward to swimming on family holidays or helping grandchildren learn to swim.

Cllr Nargis Khan, Hackney Council Cabinet member for Community Services said: "These swimmers are an inspiration to others who would like to develop more confidence in the water. The free swimming initiative is transforming people's leisure time, allowing them to enjoy swimming with their families at their local pool and on holidays."

Since the free swimming initiative kicked off last year, more than sixteen courses have run in Hackney's swimming pools - Britannia, Clissold and Kings Hall Leisure Centres - for teenagers, schools, adults with learning disabilities, people with health and mobility issues, people aged 60 and over and non-swimming families.

Launched nationally last year at the GLL-run Eltham Centre in Greenwich, the initiative saw four out of every five local councils in England sign up to provide free swimming for people aged 60 and over, with more than 200 offering it too for young people. Twenty million people are eligible to swim for free, using pools in other areas if their own council is not participating in the scheme.