Children will not be allowed to swim for free in North Somerset unless the Government hands over extra cash.

North Somerset Council said it will not be able to fund the costly project – drawn up as part of the 'Olympic legacy' of the 2012 games – without full funding from Whitehall.

It says the Government grant for the scheme is £100,000 below the figure needed to cover costs.

Conservative research, based on figures supplied by local authorities across the country, found there was £22million missing from the fund set aside for the scheme.

The project would cost £190,000 in Bristol and North Somerset, £300,000 in Bath and North East Somerset and £250,000 in South Gloucestershire.

"We have taken on the scheme for free swimming for the over 60s because the money from Government will cover the running of the scheme," said North Somerset Council.

"However, the money we have been offered for the free swimming for the under 16s is at least £100,000 below what it would cost the council to implement the scheme and we are not prepared to subsidise the balance.

"A suggestion has been made that it might still be possible to utilise the grant if the DCMS alters its criteria.

"To that end discussions have taken place with neighbouring unitary authorities and there is a general consensus that a really beneficial free swimming programme could be developed in the sub-region if DCMS was willing to amend the terms of the grant offer under this element of the programme.

"We have written to them and are awaiting their reply."

Shadow Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said the serious funding gaps in the swimming announcement was an Olympic "belly-flop".

"With serious funding gaps affecting all parts of the Government's swimming announcement, it is clear that the headline feature of their Olympic legacy plans has belly-flopped," he said.

"It looks like hard-pressed councils and council taxpayers will have to foot the bill if Labour is to fulfil its promises of free swimming for the over 60s and under 16s."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "We were always clear to local authorities that the under 16s free swimming pot, of £50 million over two years, was a challenge fund and that councils may have to find revenue from their own budgets or other sources to help maximise the offer.

"300 out of 354 local authorities have confirmed they will participate in the over 60s free swimming offer which shows the desire there is to help get the nation active."

Bristol council said: "We have registered our interest with Government in offering free swimming for over 60 and under 16 year olds from April 2009. It is too early to say for sure whether or not we will be able to go ahead with this project."

Bath and North East Somerset has not made a decision yet. No one from South Gloucestershire commented.