Four children had to be rescued from Cumbrian waters, as hot weather swept the county.

In Carlisle, emergency services rushed to the River Eden after an 11-year-old girl was found in distress.

Firefighters were called to the river, at the back of the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium, at about 4pm yesterday.

A Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “A passerby used a life ring to help the girl - it could have been worse.”

Police also responded, and a spokesman added: “The young girl was pulled out of the water and was checked over by ambulance and is ok. She didn’t realise how fast the current was going.”

In a separate incident, Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team, a Search and Rescue helicopter and St Bees RNLI were scrambled to Seascale after three children were washed 200m out to sea on an inflatable. The helicopter and RNLI were stood down once the Coastguard had the rescue in hand.

A Coastguard spokesman explained: “The team attended to find two members of the public had entered the water and were bringing the casualties ashore.”

Cumbrian Fire and Rescue is now warning adults and children of the dangers of water.

“While surface temperatures can feel warm, the waters around the UK are classed as cold and the temperature just one metre below the surface can often just be between 1 and 4 degrees,” explained a fire spokesman.

“Entering this water causes breathing to be affected and loss of motor functions.

“Sharp intakes of breath as a shock response can result in inhalation of water and it only takes about 150ml of water in the lungs to drown.

“Moving water in rivers is consistently colder at the surface than lakes which presents additional hazards.

“It is extremely easy to get into difficulty in water, no matter how good at swimming you may be.

“We ask that while you are enjoying the summer and our fabulous lakes, rivers and ponds, you take care of your safety and that of others.”

The Coastguard spokesman added: “Please remember the safest place for children to play with these death traps [inflatables] is in the back garden.”

A spokesman for St Bees RNLI said: “Please make sure your inflatable is suitable to take in the water. If possible try and tie it to a fixed object as rip tides, currents or even a sudden gust of wind could ruin a great day out.”