PEOPLE in Basildon go swimming more often than anywhere else in the country, according to new figures.

Statistics from Sport England show almost one in ten residents in the borough swim at least once a week.

It comes as the £38million Basildon Sporting Village, in Cranes Farm Road, was named as one of the top 50 places to swim in the country, in a report by the Independent.

Councillor Kevin Blake said: “We’ve always been clear about what a first-class facility we have here in Basildon, both for the local community and elite athletes, but it’s always nice to be recognised by others.

“The Sporting Village is a great centralised facility which serves the entire borough.”