Coastguards say accidents on the water are increasing

It follows the death of a 15-year old boy near Newcastleton in Dumfriesshire and a growing number of incidents involving young people.

With the school holidays under way, many youngsters around the country are taking to rivers, lochs and the sea to cool off from the recent warm weather.

However, a teenager died in a pool in the River Liddell at Penton Bridge and several others have had to be rescued, including four off the Ayrshire coast - one of whom had been swept out to sea on an inflatable chair.

Coastguards said they had seen the number of accidents on the water increase over the last five years.

They issued a warning for people to wear life jackets and think about the weather and tide.

Hydrant danger

Scottish Water and Strathclyde Fire Brigade have also issued a warning about the dangers posed by youngsters vandalising fire hydrants.

They said that teenagers have been using the soaring temperatures as an excuse to target hydrants.

Strathclyde Brigade was called out more than 220 times in the space of 24 hours to close off the hydrants.

Officials said this had hit domestic water supplies in several areas, as well as putting lives at risk.