PROVISION for swimmers across the Hambleton district is being reviewed - in the hope of enticing more people back into the water.

Pool timetables at the council leisure centres in Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk are being examined for the first time in more than six years.

The survey gives pool users and non-users the chance to comment on current facilities and say what they would like to see in the timetables.

Cabinet member for health Peter Wilkinson said: “The latest Sport England Active People survey shows there is a national downturn in swimming, “And although overall weekly participation in sport has increased, 17 sports have seen a significant decrease with swimming one of the worst affected.

“We hope that through this survey we will be able to encourage people back into the water for exercise.”

He added: “We plan to introduce new water based activities, will look at timings and session duration and hopefully find out some of the barriers to swimming and remove - or reduce - them.”

The survey runs until the end of October and is available online at hambleton.gov.uk or hambletonleisure.co.uk