I WAS distressed to learn that it is likely that the concession for free swimming for the over-60s is to be axed.

I wrote to my MP immediately following the election to express my concern, although I appreciate that every organisation is having to make financial cuts.

If it is likely that Oxford City Council will henceforth be unable to finance this valuable concession, I wonder whether there is any other route which can be explored to help people like myself?

I was once a very active person – into horses, rambling, cycling and water aerobics – but I had to abandon these pursuits owing to various medical problems.

For the past 18 months I have maintained regular thrice-weekly half-hour visits to Temple Cowley Pool, which I can access easily by bus from Watlington.

These days swimming or water therapy is the only activity I can undertake without experiencing serious pain.

As I cannot walk more than 60 steps (and even that is painful) and I cannot stand for any length of time (I use a mobility scooter to get around) the result of my enforced physical limitations has been weight-gain.

The medical profession seem in agreement that I should explore every avenue of activity that I can, and that I should get fit, not fat.

I cannot emphasis strongly enough how extremely valuable I find the swimming concession.

The very fact that I can swim for free ensures that this is an activity I would be a total fool to overlook – now that I can no longer do other free things such as cycling or rambling.

I live in sheltered accommodation, receive benefits, and am not sure how my tight budget would manage if I had to pay to swim three times a week.

I fear the powerful incentive to take advantage of the scheme would dissipate, and it would be all too easy to sit indoors and vegetate in front of a television screen.

The council should consider whether there is any way you can continue to fund swimming for over-60’s, or for disabled people such as myself.

Elizabeth Corbett Pauls Way Watlington