£100 a year to use Hampstead ponds

Swimmers are to be charged £100 a year to use Hampstead Heat h ' s bathing ponds.

New proposals published today set entry charges for the first time so all three ponds - men's, ladies and mixed - can stay open.

But a swimmers' group immediately dismissed the plan as "fanciful" and warned nobody would pay the voluntary charges.

The Corporation of London has proposed a self-policing "honesty box" system under which swimmers will pay ?2 for each dip. Regular users will be able to purchase a ?100 annual season ticket.

The final decision on pricing will be taken on 21 February by the Corporation's Hampstead Heath management committee.

Peter Cuming, of the Hampstead Heath United Swimmers' Association, said: "They have no intention of putting a farthing in a box until they are satisfied the heath is well run."