The UK government has officially launched its two-year, £140m, Swim4Free initiative - which will see free swimming offered to those aged under 16 or over 60.

The launch, held at the Greenwich Leisure (GLL)-operated Eltham Centre in Greenwich, London, drew a host of politicians, Olympians and special guests including Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell; Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Andy Burnham; Paralympic gold medallist and new double world record holder Heather Frederiksen and Little Britain star and English Channel swimmer David Walliams. The free swimming scheme is part of the London 2012 legacy plan and is being funded by the Department of Health; the Department for Work and Pensions, Communities and Local Government; the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

A further £25m will also be spent between 2009-11 on improving pool provision. Mark Sesnan, managing director of GLL, said: "We are strong supporters of the government's Swim4Free initiative and expect that it will increase demand for swimming facilities across the UK.

"The scheme will impact everyone from non-swimmers dipping their toe into the water for the first time, to competitive club swimmers." Photograph: (From left) GLL Director, Andy McCabe; Paralympic gold medallist Heather Frederikson; Little Britain star, David Walliams and Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Andy Burnham