STUDENTS are being offered lifesaving training as part of a new campaign to highlight the dangers of drinking near open water.

Don't Drink And Drown, the latest campaign by the Royal Lifesaving Society, which was launched at the University of York.

It will see posters and messages at university buildings, in pubs and across social media sites, and is encouraging students to sign up to lifesaving classes with the organisation.

The launch came after two inquests were held into the river deaths of York student Megan Roberts, aged 20, and music shop worker Ben Clarkson, 22, earlier this year.

They both drowned within weeks of each other after nights out in the city when they had been drinking with friends.

Megan's friends Amber Corney and Kim Lancaster both attended the campaign launch.

Amber said: "Even just today we have learned quite a lot of tips about how you can help someone who is in trouble.

"Unfortunately, it took something terrible to happen to make everyone realise how important it is, but I think it would be great if first years learned from it, and it's positive to think that there are posters all around the university now."