Summer campaign begins to prevent more drownings in Norfolk

After a spate of drownings in Norfolk the emergency services have pulled together to launch a campaign that they hope will at least halve the number of deaths in the county.

See Kate Prout's report here

During the summer months people enter lakes, rivers, broads, reservoirs and the sea to cool off and often don't think of the consequences. The main problems are changes in water temperature, underwater currents, obstructions such as weeds and machinery, drink and drugs and also the inability to swim.

Last August, 14 year old Bonheur Musangay and 17 year old Stella Kambi, both members of the Norwich Congolese community, died after going for a swim in St Andrews Broad in Thorpe St Andrew on a hot afternoon.

And a number of people have drowned at Bawsey Pits near King's Lynn despite a number of warning signs about the dangers.

The Forum hoping to halve the number of deaths is made up from a variety of agencies with water responsibilities including: HM Coastguard, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI, The Broads Authority, Royal Life Saving Society, Norfolk Constabulary, The Mineral Products Association and Norfolk County Council.

For more information look here