A GROUNDBREAKING project to get more people swimming is to be tried out in Kirklees.

Organisers will offer a variety of activities from fun to serious exercise in the district's pools. Free swimming for children during the summer holidays is among the plans.

The Amateur Swimming Association has chosen Kirklees as one of seven pilot areas after landing £3m from Sport England.

Everyday Swim will offer fun taster sessions, and a programme of "alternative" activities, including water polo, water-scooting, snorkelling and synchronised swimming.

Participants will receive support and motivation, including those who currently cannot swim or those who haven't swum for a long time.

David Heddon, chairman of Kirklees Active Leisure's trustees, said: "We are delighted that Kirklees was chosen from the whole of the region to deliver such an important project.

"Swimming is such an essential activity, not just for health and safety but also for general health and well-being.

"With this project, we hope to encourage people who wouldn't normally go swimming to visit their local pool regularly through different aqua activities and sport."

The project will be developed over two years.

David Morby, Kirklees Council's local council's assistant head of culture and leisure, said: "We have come up with some innovative ideas to encourage people to swim or to try swimming.

"We are stressing the importance of learning to swim or becoming a better swimmer to be able to take part in fun activities and sports such as water polo or synchronised swimming.

"It is a new approach and if it's successful, it will be rolled out to other parts of the country."