A survey of 49 councils carried out by the Conservatives found an average shortfall of £13,000 each, the equivalent across 354 councils in England of £9million - an increase of 24 per cent on the government estimate of £ 30million for two years' free swimming for pensioners. The District Sounding Board, which represents district councils nationwide, said in a letter to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham: "To work successfully the programme must be adequately resourced and targeted. Indications across the country are that the scheme will result in a cost burden." Among the hardest hit could be Bromley council which has told the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that free swimming would result in a loss of £120,000. Colin Brand, head of leisure and culture at Bromley, said the council would be "financially disadvantaged if we were to sign up to the programme". He said funding for the scheme was only guaranteed for two years. Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Once again the Government has rushed to take credit for a headline grabbing initiative and left others to pick up the tab."