FOLLOWING the tragic death of Bumi Shagaya who drowned on a school trip in France, Skipton's Aireville Pool wants to ensure that all local youngsters are aware of the dangers of playing near water.

Pool manager Steve Barr said: "Even when adults are present, things can go tragically wrong in open water.

"In a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of water at the start of the main holiday season, we at Aireville Pool want to make the whole community and its visitors aware of the dangers."

A whole programme of lifeguard and lifesaving courses will be run during the summer holidays.

Grace Topper, the Royal Life Saving Society trainer, said: "Water acts as a magnet at this time of year so it's useful to have a timely reminder about water safety.

"In the Dales, we have an abundance of open water. Children need to be supervised and should not go into the water unless it is clearly marked as safe for swimming.

"As children get older, the dangers are when they are playing away from their parents. Nowadays, most children are aware that they should not accept sweets from strangers; they do not yet accept that they should not go swimming in the river," she said.

The Royal Life Saving Society states that each week on average two school age children drown and most drownings occur in inland water sites such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

However, even the home can be a source of danger, with the main hazards being baths, sinks and garden ponds.

The advice states that parents should not turn their backs on children where there are garden ponds and water containers and these should be safely covered if there is a risk of their children or neighbours' children wandering into danger.

It continues: "Swimming is fun and children will want to go and parents will want to take them. Public swimming baths and leisure centres will have lifeguards on patrol. It is important to note, however, that the responsibility of a lifeguard is to all swimmers and they cannot act as 'childminders'."

Mr Barr added that the warnings should be heeded by adults also. "Accident statistics show that men between the age of 16 and 25 are at great risk, especially when alcohol is involved," he said.

The RLSS Water Safety Information will be on display at Aireville Pool throughout the schools holidays where qualified staff are holding a range of water safety and lifesaving courses between July 23 and September 2.

During Water Safety Week, July 23 to 27, all age groups will be able to learn the basic skills and to spot dangers. No booking is necessary and everyone can join in.

A rookie lifeguard course will be held every Friday from 6pm to 7pm where children and young people can learn the basic lifeguarding skills and become a RLSS "Rookie" lifeguard.

A millennium medallion class, offering a lifesaving and resuscitation award, will run from August 6 to 10. Minimum age is 12.

There will also be a bronze medallion and life support one class from August 13 to 17. Minimum age is 14.

During parent and toddler week, August 20 to 24, parents with young children can learn how to get their child off to a good start in the water.