A LAST-ditch bid is to be made to retain free swimming for Pendle residents who are over 60.

Liberal Democrat councillors will raise the issue at the next full council meeting which takes place on Thursday.

Following the councillors’ protests earlier this year, ruling Conservative and Labour members opted to extend free swimming for under-16s to March 2011, but provision for over-60s is due to end on Saturday, October 9.

Coun David Whipp said: “Plenty of pensioners are making good use of free swimming.

“I’ve heard of folk in their 70s learning to swim for the first time because it’s free. There’s no need to axe this well-used service.

“Pendle has record levels of reserves and can afford to give something back to the generation of people who’ve contributed so much over the years.

“I hope protesters will gather at the town hall once more to lend their support to the Liberal proposal to keep free swims for pensioners.”

The next full council meeting takes place at Nelson Town Hall at 7pm.