Millions of Britons have made use of the Government's free swimming scheme.

Britons have made full use of the Government's free swimming scheme, with people taking part in 5.9 million sessions in the three months to September, official statistics have shown.

The Government's £140 million drive saw 4 million under 16-year-olds and 1.9m over 60s take up the offer - an overall increase from the 4.5 million people who took the plunge in the first quarter after the scheme was introduced in April.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw described it as part of the "2012 dividend", where people have been inspired to get active ahead of the London 2012 Games.

He said: "This is a terrific vote of confidence in our free swimming initiative, which has really caught the imagination of people in every corner of the country."

The scheme is jointly funded by the government's departments of Culture, Health, Work and Pensions, Children, Schools and Families and Local Government.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham noted that under 16s swam free 1.81 million times during the August school holiday month.

He said: "I want to see even more people enjoying the health benefits swimming brings. We've got swimming co-ordinators working in almost every county helping to get more swimmers, especially those new to the water, taking the plunge."

Liberal Democrat Sport spokesman Don Foster said: "It is great that so many people have taken advantage of this scheme in the last six months but the fact remains that millions are missing out on this opportunity.

"Nearly half of councils in England have refused to offer free swimming for the under-16s because the Government underestimated the costs involved.

"Even (double Olympic swimming champion) Rebecca Adlington's hometown won't offer children the chance to swim for free."