PEOPLE are being reminded to play it safe in and around rivers, reservoirs and lochs across East Renfrewshire during the hot and sunny weather. Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water's regional community manager for the area, is concerned people might take unnecessary risks around water.

It follows similar warnings from rangers at Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

She said: "While it's important that people enjoy the good weather and take pleasure in the country's beautiful lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it's also vital that they stay safe.

"We don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but we are reminding parents to keep their children safe, and asking adults to act responsibly around watercourses."

That's a message which is being reiterated by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

David Walker, the leisure safety manager at RoSPA, added: "In previous years, the number of accidental drownings inland has peaked during hot spells. We want people to be out-and-about enjoying the weather and ideally swimming at properly-supervised sites, such as the local swimming pool."

Reservoirs are man-made features and because of their purpose, they have a number of unique hidden dangers.

These relate mainly to built structures such as dams, spillways (overflows) and water intakes (underwater pipe work that takes water out of the reservoir) and the effects of these.

Other hidden dangers found at reservoirs include deep cold water (even on a hot day), underwater plant life and steep banks.

Mr Walker added: "If people choose not to go to a supervised site, then we urge them to think through the risks of swimming in rivers, reservoirs and lochs before taking the plunge and to make sure they know what to do if something goes wrong.

" We encourage parents and carers to discuss the dangers with their children and to remind them that children should never swim alone at unsupervised locations."