Cumbria firefighters are warning of the dangers of swimming in the county’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

With Cumbria currently basking in a heatwave, it might seem tempting to go for an outdoor dip. But rivers, lakes and reservoirs can hold a host of hidden dangers, from sudden drops in temperature and uneven depths, to unseen objects and currents.

Today’s warning from Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service follows a tragedy in the River Esk at Longtown last night when a man died after getting into difficulties in the water.

Advice for staying safe from outdoor water dangers includes: * The safest place to swim is in a supervised swimming pool.

* Warn your children of the risks, and know where they are when they are out playing.

* Act responsibly near water, and never swim after drinking alcohol.

* At home, keep small children away from ponds and pools and make sure they are supervised in the bath.

* Always pay attention to safety signs.

*Never go swimming alone.

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer, Jim Onions, said: “We don’t believe that last night’s tragic incident involved people voluntarily going into the water and our thoughts are very much with the family at this time.

“This tragedy does, however, demonstrate the dangers of outdoor swimming.

"Rivers, lakes and reservoirs look peaceful on the surface, but are full of hidden dangers and even strong, experienced swimmers can get quickly get into difficulties. If people are going to swim outdoors they need to be extremely cautious and be fully aware of the risks they’re taking. Also the waters are colder than you may think and swimmers often lose the ability to save themselves due to the shock of entering the cold conditions.”