A WATER company has issued a warning after two boys had a luckly escape when they plunged into a frozen lake on Thursday night.

Yorkshire Water is urging visitors to steer clear of frozen reservoirs because of the dangers they pose.

Safety manager Nikki Kemmery said: "Our reservoirs are extremely popular attractions to visitors all year. And with the cold spell set to continue over the next few days, we are extremely concerned that visitors to our reservoirs may be tempted to walk onto the ice. Our advice is stay well away.

"Reservoirs are very dangerous places and anyone falling in would stand little chance of survival."

On Thursday, two boys, aged 15 and 16, fell into the freezing waters of Rawcliffe Lake, near York, when the ice they were playing on gave way. Two boys they were playing with, both aged 15, risked their lives and dived into the water to rescue them.

Three of the boys were taken to York District Hospital suffering from cold and minor cuts. All are said to be from the Rawcliffe area.

A North Yorkshire Fire and Fescue Brigade spokesman said yesterday: "Ice on a lake or reservoir can be extremely dangerous, especially if it is snow covered because people cannot judge how thick the ice actually is.

"If anyone is on frozen water that begins to crack under their feet, they should lie flat to spread their weight over a greater distance and then drag themselves to the edge.