A YEAR after coming bottom of a league table, adults in Basingstoke and Deane have doggy paddled their way to becoming a fitter town.

Results compiled by Sport England in 2013/14 showed that only 4.75 per cent of adults in the area went swimming at least once a week, ranking them bottom of 160 towns and cities which were assessed.

Since then residents have taken a more proactive approach to the sport and have pulled themselves out of the deep end with 6.81 per cent of people over 16 now using the facilities regularly.

The recent improvements has prompted Diabetes UK to encourage swimmers to take part in their Swim22 challenge.

The challenge gives participants three months to swim 22 miles at their pool, while raising money to help prevent Type 2 diabetes or helping people manage their diabetes.

Fundraising manager at Diabetes UK, Laura Crowe, said she wants these improved results to challenge more people to take up swimming.

She said: “Swimming is a great way to keep physically active, which alongside healthy eating, is really important for preventing Type 2 diabetes or helping manage diabetes if you already have it.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said they have seen an increase in people using the Aquadrome, in Worting Road, which has promoted further developments of the facilities at the leisure park.

The borough council’s cabinet member for partnerships, Cllr Cathy Osselton said the council already heavily invests in improving the town’s swimming facilities.

She said: “The most up-to-date figure for 2014/15 show that an average of 6.81 per cent of adults in Basingstoke swim once a week, which is higher than the national average of 5.7 per cent.

“We are home to the largest swimming club in the country – the Basingstoke Bluefins – with over 1,000 members."

The Swim22 challenge takes place between February 22 and May 22, for more information or to take part visit diabetes.org.uk/swim22.