Sir Robin said: "Newham Council has pioneered free swimming for the past four years as a means of tackling inequality of access to sports facilities and encouraging residents to get active. Free swims for under 16s during the school holidays saw a quadrupling of the number of swimmers in the first year of the scheme and a doubling of the number of visits by the lowest income groups. Newham also trialled free swimming for over 60s, with 18,000 free senior swims.

"With the Government's challenge fund I hope to be able to extend free swims to all people in Newham. Swimming is an excellent way to keep fit and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities."

In addition to free swims, Newham Council also runs an estate based sports programme which offers free coaching, practice and competitive opportunities in football, fencing, boxing, cricket, basketball and street dance. The scheme has been a huge success with more than 100,000 visits each year.

Thousands of people of all ages have enjoyed the free community forum sports challenges. Anyone who lives or works in one of Newham's nine community forum areas has had the opportunity to take part in six free competitions including football, athletics, badminton, handball, basketball and table tennis.

Added the Mayor: "Our borough is the youngest in the country, with more under 18s than anywhere else. We've responded to requests for new things for young people to do and have lead the way in providing quality free sporting and cultural opportunities.

"To get young people out and active in the community is great in itself, but that investment paid dividends for the whole community. At the same time youth crime and disorder fell rapidly and last year there were 25% fewer Newham young people up before local magistrates. That's the value of active civic life: when you engage people in community activity the knock on effects and consequences all work together to deliver benefits to everyone."