WARNINGS have been issued after people were seen jumping from a sea wall into a reservoir during this summer's good weather.

Cumbria Police have urged people to take care in the sunshine as the trend of jumping from cliffs, piers, or harbour walls into water, known as tombstoning, returns for another year.

During the hot weather last month, which has continued into July, a number of people were seen jumping from the sea wall at the RSPB Hodbarrow Nature Reserve in Millom.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "With the hot weather, and more to come next week, we would ask people to be very cautious about entering bodies of water such as rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs.

"Jumping in can be extremely dangerous, not only because of uncertainty about the depth of the water but also because of the possible impact of cold water shock, which has the potential to cause blood vessels to close up and narrow, putting pressure on the heart.

"Those considering swimming in bodies of water are also urged to be extremely cautious as there may be no way of knowing what lies beneath the surface which could potentially entangle legs and lead to tragedy."

Cumbria Police have urged swimmers to only enter water where there is adequate supervision and rescue cover, and to avoid swimming near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices.

Alcohol and swimming should never be mixed, and swimmers are urged to get out of the water if they start to feel cold.

If you see anyone in difficulty, diall 999 and throw something to them that will float.