THE Canal and River Trust is calling on people to stay out of the canals and rivers however hot the weather gets.

Summer is one of the most popular times for people to visit Britain’s canals and rivers, and last year was the busiest on record with almost 13 million people taking a trip to their local waterway.

Tony Stammers, head of health and safety at the Canal & River Trust explains: “Canals and rivers are brilliant places to go to on hot days, and excellent for families to explore during the holidays.

"But it’s also important that people, especially children, are aware of the dangers of cooling off by going for a dip in the wrong place. We always urge parents to make sure their children know how to stay safe.

“In particular, inland waters such as canals, rivers and reservoirs may look inviting on a hot summer’s day, but any open body of water can pose a hazard.

"The water can often be extremely cold and can bring on cramps in even the strongest swimmers and there may be hidden objects lurking beneath the surface.”  

Each year around 400 people drown in the UK, with the highest number of deaths recorded in the country’s inland waterways, according to the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

For more information visit canalriverexplorers.org.uk