SWIMMERS taking a dip in the River Tees during the current hot spell are putting their lives at risk.

The warning comes on the eve of the anniversary of the death of Darlington teenager Christopher Glen.

Christopher, 15, died in August last year after firefighters dragged him unconscious from the Tees.

He had got into difficulty in a notorious stretch of water known as Cleasby Deeps, downstream from the popular Broken Scar beauty spot, and was sucked under by strong currents.

Darlington Borough Council, which erected warning signs in the area following pressure from The Northern Echo, has repeated warnings about going in the river.

Large stretches of the Tees in the Darlington area have already, or are due to reopen soon, following restrictions imposed because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

It is feared that with the hot weather they could prove attractive to sunseekers attempting to cool off.

Council spokesman Steve Jones said: "There have been tragedies in the river and we don't want a repeat this year.

"It is not safe to swim in any part of the Tees, and it is better to go to supervised places such as the pool we have at the Dolphin Centre."

Four people have drowned in the River Tees in the Darlington area in the past six years.

Warning signs aimed at preventing people from playing in the river remain in place at Cleasby Deeps, Broken Scar and Blackwell Bridge, another main access point to the Tees.

Jane Eason, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "There are hidden dangers in open water such as lakes, rivers and canals.

"These include strong undercurrents, reeds that can trap swimmers and other debris which can injure.

"No matter how warm it is, the water never heats up a great deal and can be extremely cold."

She said that men aged between 18 and 30 had also been identified as being at great risk, largely because they are likely to have consumed alcohol before taking to the water.