FIRE chiefs have issued a warning to people about the dangers of swimming in inland waterways after a man became trapped on an island.

Cleveland Fire Brigade recently bought a water rescue vehicle for its station in Thornaby, and the specialist team there was called into action to help the man.

He became stranded after he waded out to the island in Saltholme Lake, on Seal Sands Road, near Billingham, on Saturday afternoon.

The incident came just a week after the drowning of Middlesbrough man Stephen Forrest, 23. The body of the father-of-three was recovered on Tuesday from Cod Beck Reservoir, near Osmotherly, North Yorkshire, after he got into difficulties while swimming.

The brigade's awareness campaign is particularly targeted at young people as the summer holidays start.

Barry Waller, Thornaby station manager, said: "Young people often misjudge their own swimming ability and fail to appreciate the harmful effects that cold water can have on their stamina and strength.

"People may be out on the river banks on a hot day and decide to take a quick dip in the water to cool down but what they don't realise is the water has only been warmed in the first few inches by the sun and below the temperatures may be freezing."

Cleveland Fire Brigade has teamed up with British Waterways to launch a series of initiatives aimed at educating people about the dangers of rivers and lakes.

It has included advertisements and educational sessions in primary schools.

Figures show that in 2002 alone, 427 people drowned in the UK, 251 of them in inland waterways. The majority of the victims were men aged between 15 and 45.

Mr Waller said: "Rivers and streams are by far the most dangerous location in terms of risk of drowning and people should be very wary of entering such water.

"This is especially so when you have been drinking.

"Our message would be that if you've been drinking, do not enter the water."

He also warned against going into the water to rescue someone because rescuers often themselves became victims.