BEATING the bulge doesn’t have to break the bank as council chiefs are offering free swimming sessions across Southampton.

The Daily Echo has this week launched a campaign to get more of the city fit and healthy after we revealed above average obesity levels cost Southampton a staggering £147m a year.

And it couldn’t be easier with the new Go Swim initiative that means anyone under 16 or over 60 can use any of the council’s three swimming pools for free during public sessions.

The pools include Bitterne Leisure Centre, Oaklands Pool and The Quays.

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Hundreds of people are already taking advantage of the initiative, supported by the Government.

At a Go Free swimming session at Oaklands Pool in Lordshill, yesterday, dozens of people were making a splash.

Duty manager Andy Russell said: “We’d encourage anybody to take part no matter what age, ability or weight.

“The great thing about swimming is it’s a great way to keep fit but it is low impact so anyone can give it a go.”

Terri Brown, operations manager at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex added: “Just a 30-minute swim a day will show its benefits within a very short space of time, whether through weight loss or improvement in energy levels and alertness, or just the ability to keep up with the children and grandchildren.

“You don’t need to be Rebecca Addlington to take part, all you need is a little water confidence.”

The Daily Echo campaign comes after an investigation into the city’s weighty problem carried out by the city council’s health scrutiny panel found that just over one in four adults and nearly one in ten five-year-olds are dangerously fat.

• Are you backing the campaign? Tell us how you are keeping fit. Contact the Daily Echo newsdesk on 023 8042 4522 or email newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk