Ashton Leisure Centre in Ashton-In-Makerfield, near Wigan, will be benefiting from a £600,000 facelift thanks to its early start in offering free swimming for under 16-year-olds and the over 60s.

As the centre was one of the first to offer free swimming as part of the government's £140m free swimming scheme, launched this month, the facility's operator Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust was entitled to a cut of the DCMS' £50m capital swimming fund. Having successfully bid to Sport England for the cash boost, the £600,000 grant will enable the trust to refurbish the centre's learner and main swimming pool, changing rooms and entrance area. Sport England received more than £80m worth of bids.

The free swimming for all initiative is being funded by the government and a partnership between Wigan Council, the trust and NHS Ashton, Leigh and Wigan and is available at the borough's five public swimming pools.