NEW warning signs have finally gone up on a notorious stretch of the River Tees where a North-East teenager drowned.

Christopher Glen died last month after getting into difficulties swimming at Cleasby Deeps, near Darlington.

Following his death, The Northern Echo secured a pledge from Darlington Borough Council that it would erect warning signs at strategic points on the riverbank.

Our investigation also revealed how huge stretches at isolated points of the Tees lacked of signs warning of the river's dangers.

Now, almost five weeks later, three signs - one at Cleasby Deeps, one further down the river at the Broken Scar beauty spot and one at the entrance to the Tees at Blackwell - have gone up.

The five-foot high signs warn people not to swim in the water because of the threat posed by strong undercurrents and hidden obstructions.

Darlington council spokesman Steve Jones said the erection of the signs had been delayed while talks were held with the Environment Agency and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

It had also taken time for the signs to be made, he said, adding: "The two agencies have given us advice about where best to put the signs, and what to put on them.

"But the message is still the same - don't swim in the river. It is dangerous, and if you want to swim, use the Dolphin Centre we have in Darlington."

Last night, Campbell Dawson, Richmondshire District Councillor for Cleasby, who led calls for action, together with Christopher Glen's father Malcolm, said: "Kids will be kids and some will still go in the water, but I am very glad that these signs have gone up.