Over 2,000 Hackney residents are being given the opportunity to learn to swim for free, thanks to an initiative launched in late March by charitable Social Enterprise GLL in partnership with the Amateur Swimming Association and the London Borough of Hackney.

The scheme is aimed at giving adults who have never previously been taught to swim the opportunity to learn a vital life skill and lead a more active and healthy lifestyle. The scheme will be available at all three GLL-operated pools within Hackney. Each participant will take part in a free introductory six-hour course over six weeks, taught by a qualified teacher, in small groups of no more than 12 pupils.

The scheme is part of the Government's Free Swimming Initiative and it is envisaged that over the next 12 months approximately 25,000 Londoners will learn to swim at GLL operated pools across the capital - making it the largest free swimming lesson programme in the country.

The scheme is available to anyone aged 17 years and over who lives in Hackney and cannot swim. Details of how to enrol are available at www.gll.org or by visiting your local leisure centre.

Participating pools within the London Borough of Hackney will be:

* Britannia Leisure Centre

* Clissold Leisure Centre

* Kings Hall Leisure Centre