Youngsters under 16 are being offered three free swims at Tendring District Council (TDC) swimming pools over the coming half term holiday.

The scheme is being operated at sites at Clacton, Frinton and Walton, and Dovercourt.

The special offer is open during the period of Monday October 27 to Friday October 31, 2008 to all those under 16 living within the District.

The initiative is just one of many exciting activities being laid on by the Council at its leisure centres and facilities during the half term week.

These will include tri golf, indoor tennis, football coaching, trampoline, basketball, karate, badminton and sports hall athletics.

On top of that there will be arts and craft sessions, theatre, dance and drama workshops - all at Manningtree Sports Centre.

Pierre Oxley, Leisure Portfolio Holder at TDC, said the aim was to provide something for everyone to help keep youngsters busy and involved in organised activities during the school break.

"We want them to take part in the programme which is being billed as 'Get into the Zone' and will run at all our sites," he said.

"Youngsters can choose from Creative Zone, Skills Zone, Aqua Zone, Xtreme Zone or Youth Zone and it is all about having fun with their friends - or the opportunity to meet new ones."

There will be qualified coaches on hand to provide children with the chance to experience a new sport or develop existing skills. Alternatively they can enjoy themselves through art and craft and soft play activities.

Brochures with full details of all the activities, sites, timings and costs are available to download from the Sports pages or from TDC's centres at Clacton, Walton, Harwich, Dovercourt, Manningtree and Brightlingsea.

In many cases people only have to turn up at the relevant sports facility and simply register, but - as some sessions will have a limited capacity - it may be best to book in advance.

For those families looking for a fun night out after the day's activities are over then the Princes Theatre may have just the answer.

The TDC run venue is putting on a family wrestling show on Wednesday October 29. Doors open at 7pm with the entertainment getting under way at 7.30pm.

The live two hour show features top American wrestling stars featuring in a brand new line-up. Book online or call the box office on 01255 686633.