The deal will also mean extra cash to update the district's swimming pools.

At a meeting yesterday, Wakefield Council's cabinet agreed to an offer from the government to part subsidise free swimming.

The cabinet today gave its backing to a report agreeing to access money to provide free swimming for over 60s and make an expression of interest for free swimming for under 16s.

Both schemes will now have to be rubber-stamped by the government

The council hopes that the process will take place during the next few months and the free provisions are likely to begin in 2009.

Council officials say that by accessing both pots of money, it will make the authority eligible to apply for more government funding from 2008/09.

The cash will be used to modernise and improve swimming pools.

Coun Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's deputy leader with responsibility for sport, said: "This is a great opportunity to provide people with free swimming and show our commitment to the people of Wakefield. We want to improve their health and well-being through regular participation in sport and physical activity.

"This is great news and something we feel will be very popular with so many people.

"We aim to maximise these schemes and any subsequent funding it generates will improve services for people across the district."