Watford residents 18 and under can go swimming and use council gyms for free this summer.

Watford Borough Council leisure centres are offering the scheme during the five-week school summer holiday period, from Monday, July 28, to Friday, August 29.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, said: "I know the school holidays can seem both long and quite expensive for parents, so hopefully this will help them on both counts.

"I expect the pools and gym will be busy but its something extra for children to do during the holidays."

Free swims will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Watford Leisure Centre Central, and Mondays and Wednesdays at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside.

The free gym sessions at both leisure centres are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm.

Banded sessions will apply during busy times in the swimming pool. A gym induction is required.

To get a free EveryoneActive card and extra benefits, people must be registered with EveryoneActive online at: everyoneactive.com.

There are also crèche facilities, as well as full day-care schemes run by registered professionals for five to 12 year olds.

For pool timetables at the two leisure centres, visit watford.gov.uk and select ‘sports clubs and centres’ from the homepage or telephone the centres on tel: 01923 892710 for Woodside or 01923 296750 for Central.