A FIRE service is joining forces with others across the country to raise awareness of a campaign to promote water safety.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is supporting Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Week, which begins on Monday, April 24.

The campaign aims to warn people over the dangers of being near water – after figures revealed 321 people died in 2015 after tripping or falling into water, or underestimating its danger.

The week is run by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and finishes on Sunday, April 30.

Dawn Whittaker, the Chief Fire Officers Association's water safety lead, said: "Most people would be shocked to hear that those people drowning just happen to be near water such as runners, walkers and fisherman.

"They are unaware of the risks and are totally unprepared for the scenario of ending up in the water.

"By highlighting this issue and making sure simple safety messages reach them we hope to reduce the number of these needless deaths."

Following simple advice can reduce the risk of ending up in the water and, by calling for people to 'be water aware', fire services aim to reduce the number of fatalities.

Station Commander Stuart Crebbin, of HWFRS, said: "We are keen to highlight water safety awareness to children, their parents and as wide a cross-section of the local community as possible.

"People do not understand the dangers of open water and we would like to highlight the dangers and encourage people, whatever their age, to take extra care.

"The strongest swimmers can find themselves in difficulty, as the cold water causes muscles to cramp.

"There is then a strong possibility that they cannot swim due to muscular cramps which can then lead to drowning."

Water safety advice includes being aware of strong currents, even when the surface is calm, taking notice of waning signs and keeping away from the river's edge.

For safety advice visit hwfire.org.uk