Do not play on frozen lakes, warns fire service

A fire service has warned people to stay off the ice after reports of youngsters playing on frozen lakes

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received the reports on Sunday afternoon after cold weather hit the county over the weekend.

It warned that the ice might not be as thick as it appeared and urged people to educate children on the dangers of frozen lakes.

The Met Office issued several weather warnings for ice over the weekend, with temperatures set to remain around freezing.

"We've had reports of young people playing on frozen lakes in the county this afternoon," the fire service said in a statement.

"With the cold weather set to last another couple of days, and for some young people, schools not going back until midweek, please can parents and guardians remind their children of the real dangers of playing on lakes when iced over.

"The ice may not be as thick as it appears and the water if they fall in will be freezing cold and could send the body into cold shock so they become unable to swim to safety."

It urged people to call 999 if they saw anyone in trouble in water.

Temperatures are forecast to remain around freezing until Wednesday when it is due to warm slightly.

Snow was also seen over parts of the county over the weekend.

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