PEOPLE in York swim more regularly than anywhere else in Yorkshire, and are among the top swimming cities nationwide according to a new league table published today by Diabetes UK.

According to the league table, based on Sport England data, 10.2 per cent of adults in York swim once a week, the 12th highest in the country.

In Yorkshire, York is second only to Sheffield where 10.5 per cent of adults swim at least once a week.

Katie Hall, Regional Fundraiser for Diabetes UK, said: “Swimming is a great way to keep physically active, which is really important for preventing Type 2 diabetes. And if you already have diabetes then you can help manage your condition through getting plenty of exercise and eating healthily.

“Clearly, people in Sheffield and York are already taking this message to heart and it is great to see that so many of them are swimming already and keeping fit and healthy. Because many people find swimming so enjoyable, it’s a form of exercise they may be more likely to stick to in the long run."

Swimmers in York are currently campaigning to protect the city's Yearsley Pool, with an action group fighting to secure the future of the hundred year old pool.

Earlier this month action group leader Fiona Evans presented a petition to the city council with more than 6500 signatures pleading with the council not to slash its entire £250,000 support for the pool.

Diabetes UK has published the league table as it launches its Swim 22 challenge, a in which participants swim 22 miles (the distance across the English Channel) at their local pool over the course of three months.

The challenge, which is supported by Tesco, will take place between 22 February and 22 May 2014, and Diabetes UK hopes it will encourage more people to take up swimming in the new year as well as raise vital funds.

Harrogate and Ryedale come towards the bottom of the table with just 6.78 and 6.76 per cent respectively and Bradford is the worst in the county with just 4.53 per cent (seventh from the bottom nationwide).

To sign up to Swim 22 visit www.diabetes.org.uk/swim22 or call the National Events Team on 0345 123 2399.