CHILDREN must be taught “water safety skills” – as well as how to swim – to prevent a repeat of a North-East drowning tragedy, ministers were told.

Sharon Hodgson, the Washington and Sunderland West, called for lessons on the dangers of “currents, loose banks and vegetation”, as well as swimming technique.

The call, in a Commons debate, came almost one year after Tonibeth Purvis, 15, died as she tried to save her friend, Chloe Fowler, 14, in the River Wear at Washington.

Tonibeth, of Stockley Road, Washington, jumped in the water near Fatfield Bridge after Chloe, of Hunter Street, Shiney Row, got into difficulty.

But Tonibeth immediately found herself in trouble as well and, despite a massive emergency response to save the girls, they both drowned in the fast-flowing water.

Ms Hodgson, who praised Tonibeth’s “selflessness and heroism”, said the target of teaching pupils to swim 25 metres unaided was a “very important skill”.

But she added: “Doing so in a warm, clear swimming pool, with lifeguards at hand, is completely different from having to swim 25 metres - or even five metres - in a cold lake, or a river with a strong current and hidden hazards.”

The Labour MP urged ministers to adopt recommendations by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) for water safety lessons, starting when pupils go to secondary school.

These would teach youngsters skills including how to swim in clothing, how to stay afloat by treading water and how to hold up a fellow swimmer in difficulties.

To the MP’s disappointment, a transport minister was sent to reply to the debate, on the grounds that it was partly a maritime issue.

Stephen Hammond said: “I will ensure that one of my colleagues in the department for education responds more fully to some of the points that the honourable lady made about education.”