Three Rivers residents take the free swimming plunge

New figures released today show that many residents living in the Three
Rivers area are taking full advantage of the Government's free swimming
programme which is specifically targeted at the elderly and young people
under 16.

In the six month period up to September Three River's residents made 12,797
free trips to the swimming pool -many of them making use of the two new
leisure facilities owned by Watford Borough Council.

The news has re-enforced support for Watford's MP, Claire Ward, who has been
involved in a long running campaign to persuade Watford Mayor, Dorothy
Thornhill, to change her mind about refusing to join the scheme.

 Ms Ward said: "These figures are good news for Three Rivers residents, but
it is just such a shame that the Lib Dems in Watford refuse to take
advantage of the Labour government's free swimming programme.

"If our neighbours in Three Rivers can make over 12,000 trips to the pool
for free, why won't the Watford Lib Dems let my constituents do the same?

"The Watford Liberal Democrats are letting our young people and elderly
residents down, because they refuse to participate in this initiative."