Swimmers will be able to carry on making a splash in swimming pools after councils agreed to pay for free sessions throughout the summer holidays.

On July 31, the Government will scrap subsidised swimming for those over 60 and under 16 to save about £40million.

However, Leicester City Council and six district councils in Leicestershire have agreed to fund similar schemes of their own for at least another month.

In September, most swimmers will have to pay full price again.

Parent Darren Cooper, 37, from Thorpe Astley, regularly takes his two children, aged 10 and 12, to Braunstone pool.

He said: "It's a brilliant scheme that meant we could all go swimming without considering the cost.

"It may not seem like a huge amount to pay, but when you've got two kids and they want to go a couple of times a week, it soon adds up at the end of the month."

When the government scheme was introduced in April 2009, more than 180,000 in the city and 200,000 people in the county signed up to take part.

Now, charity Age Concern is warning that thousands of elderly people, who rely on the sessions to keep healthy, will not be able to afford to visit their local pools once the subsidies end.

Chief executive of Age Concern Tony Donovan said: "It's a great disappointment – many elderly people use their free swims as an easy way of staying healthy and fit.

"I fear many old people won't be able to afford to carry on, which will impact not only on their exercise but on their social activities as well."

A swimmer, in her 70s, who did not want to be named, said: "It will make a difference to a lot of people, especially those who visit the pool three or four times a week.

"I think it's a shame because the Government are trying to encourage us to keep fit and then they go and take away access to a great activity like swimming."

Blaby District Council has said it will spend more than £13,000 to extend the scheme until September 30. The authority will then continue to provide free sessions for children during public swims, and over-60s will have two free sessions a week.

Leicester City Council is spending £50,000 on free swims until the end of August but only for children, not the over-60s.

Councillor Rob Wann, cabinet lead for leisure and culture, said: "It was thought in the current climate it would be a real shame for young people to be hit."

North West Leicestershire District Council is also offering under-16s the chance to swim for free in August. In September, they will be charged £2.20 and pensioners will be charged £3.30 or £2.50 for leisure link members.

Charnwood Borough Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will fund sessions for both age groups until the beginning of September.

Melton Borough Council has extended the service until the start of September for under-16s and the start of August for over-60s.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council has also extended the offer to both age groups until the end of August.