A mother is furious that a ‘women only’ policy stops her from bringing her one-year-old and four-year-old sons swimming with her.

The mother says she has complained about the Everyone Active policy for two years but her frustration was reignited when she tried to book a session at another centre.

Everyone Active, which has more than 150 centres across the UK, has a policy which does not allow males of any age to take part in female only sessions.

It means that boys – no matter how young – are banned from the weekly, 90-minute female only swim sessions.

The Watford mother, 32, first knew about the policy when she tried to go to Watford Leisure Centre Central. However, this month when she booked to take part in a class at Sir James Altham pool in South Oxhey, she was told she would be unable to bring her boys along, as it had been taken over by Everyone Active.

She said: “It just doesn’t make any sense, it’s discriminative and ridiculous. They should let boys under the age of 8 in, in line with the changing room policy. As a mother of two boys, I find it unfair that the swimming pool does not cater for this. Girls are allowed but boys are not.

“When I found out about this, I wanted to publically make this complaint to them."

The mother, who does not want to be named, says she takes part in women only sessions for religious reasons but wants her two boys to be able to join her. She says her four-year-old son has been taking lessons at Watford Central for a year but is still unable to swim and wants him to be able to accompany her in the women only sessions.

Everyone Active said it conducted a survey last year at its Watford branch which asked people if they 'would still come to the sessions if they were mixed', and 94 per cent of the people who responded said ‘no’.

But the survey has been criticized by the mother who said she would have answered the same as no specific age was given.

In light of the mother’s complaint, Everyone Active said it is considering conducting another survey specifically asking the question about “young male children” attending.

Gary Foley, Everyone Active’s contract manager in Watford, said: “We have been managing this centre for more than ten years on behalf of Watford Borough Council. The women-only sessions were in place prior to this time and have only ever been open to female participants.

“After the survey we have maintained the decision to allow only female swimmers at this sessions.

“However, in light of this customer raising the question about bringing her sons to the session, we are working with the council to look at the potential of conducting another survey specifically asking the question about young male children attending.”

Councillor Karen Collett, responsible for community at Watford Borough Council, said: “This is an extremely popular session that has encouraged a large number of women and girls to get involved in swimming.

“The council will work closely with Everyone Active to find out people’s views on this issue as it is important that everyone has a chance to have their say.”

John Sewell, Everyone Active’s contract manager in Three Rivers District, said: “We are committed to improving the health of residents.

“One such initiative is women-only swim sessions that runs alongside our wider programme and removes barriers to participation for many people for a variety of reasons, including confidence, religious beliefs, body image and more

“Gender-specific sessions are in no way unique to Three Rivers; and are in fact common practice around the world as a strategy to encourage greater participation, particularly in swimming.

“We value feedback from residents and members, and are committed to evolving a schedule that meets as many needs as possible for our diverse, vibrant communities.”

Everyone Active also run the nearby William Penn leisure centre in Mill End, Watford Leisure Centre Woodside, Westminster Lodge in St Albans, Harrow Leisure Centre, and Northolt Leisure Centre, which all have swimming pools.

What do you think? Should boys under the age of 8 be allowed to join in?