Cumbria's fire crews have issued a water safety warning ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) delivered its nationwide Drowning Prevention Week campaign this week and

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service joined the RLSS and the National Fire Chiefs Council in offering advice on how to enjoy water safely, highlighting that there were 263 fatalities across the country last year related to people spending time near water.

The message has been reiterated for this weekend.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s group manager and head of prevention, Will Richardson, said: “We want people to enjoy spending time in and around water safely.

“Most people would be shocked to hear that 263 people across the UK lost their lives last year while spending time near water.

"This is because they were unaware of the risks and unprepared for the scenario of ending up in the water.

“In Cumbria, we carried out more than 200 water rescues between 2015 and 2020, which sadly included eight fatalities.

"By highlighting this issue and making sure simple safety messages reach our communities, we hope to reduce the number of these preventable deaths.

“Temperatures in Cumbria have started to rise slightly, but that does not mean all of our nearby waters are safe to be entered.

"So, please be water aware when you are spending time near water.”

Firefighters are also keen to stress the risks of open fires as people might look to capitalise on the positive weather forecast with a BBQ.

Mr Richardson added: “It’s natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather with family and friends – many of us can’t wait to get the barbecue lit.

“We all know how tempting it can be to give stubborn coals a helping hand but please be patient and make sure you use the right tools for the job.

“And if you’ve planned a barbecue and the weather lets you down, don’t take the barbecue indoors or into a tent.

"In recent years, some people have sadly succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result, so we are urging everyone to stay safe this summer.”

For more on fire safety, visit cumbria.gov.uk/cumbriafire