Sir,

The over-60s free swimming sessions are under threat during school holidays (during term time they are paid for by the Welsh Assembly and in school holidays by Monmouthshire County Council).

MCC hope to save £10,000 annually. I doubt if they would do so because the cost of staffing, heating and cleaning would remain constant, if the sessions remain open, and fewer older people would use the pool.

Swimming is excellent exercise especially for the older generation as it is non-weight bearing and therefore suitable for people with arthritic joints.

It is also a social activity and important in combating loneliness and depression.

We need to encourage more old people to take up swimming, not to discourage them from this healthy exercise. I hope that MCC will reconsider their proposal.

Dr Charlotte Jones

(Monmouth)