A LEISURE centre is offering free swimming sessions to encourage more people to exercise regularly.

River Park Leisure Centre in Winchester has a new loyalty card, which launched today (May 18), to reward swimmers with a free session if five are completed in two months.

It comes as figures from Sport England show the number of people swimming once a week has declined.

River Park’s sports development coordinator, Connie Standen, said: “It is worrying to hear that swimming is on the decline as it is a great way to improve your health and fitness for people of all ages and abilities.

“I am hoping that the new swim loyalty card will get more people in the community swimming and enjoying the sport.”