Pensioners will be able to swim in council-run pools for free at off-peak times if Liberal Democrats get their way.

The third party on Brighton and Hove City Council has also pledged free swimming lessons to young people if it wins control or influence on the authority after May's local elections.

In their manifesto, the Lib Dems also promise to to encourage reading and literacy by providing a free book for each junior and infant school pupil every term.

They want to open the city's main two libraries on Sunday afternoons and increase the library stock by 100 books each week.

The party also wants a neighbourhood forum to be set up, which would have a dedicated ranger for every council ward.

Group leader Paul Elgood said: "This is a radical agenda for the city.

"The key issue in the delivery of local services is to ensure residents receive value for money - and this is where the council has failed in the past.

"Residents are tired of the council's obsession with glitzy projects such as the city of culture bid.

"It's time for a fresh start and a different way at looking at things."