THE Canal & River Trust (CRT) has issued a warning to locals hoping to take a dip in the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal this summer.

Residents have been advised that however tempting the water may look, getting in is not a good idea, as CRT states 63 per cent of all accidental UK drownings in 2023 occurred at inland waters such as canals, rivers, lakes, quarries and reservoirs - 83 per cent of these deaths were male.

Richard Joyce at Canal & River Trust said: “Spending time on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal is a lovely way to spend a summer’s day and is an excellent places for families to explore during the warm weather.

"But it’s also important that people, especially children and teenagers, are aware of the dangers of cooling off by going for a dip.

"The consequences can be devastating. 

“Inland waterways, like canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks, can look really inviting but you can’t tell what is below the surface. 

"Even if you are familiar with a stretch of water, it doesn’t mean there aren’t risks. 

"Everyone is welcome to the waterways this summer, but please keep to the waterside or take part in one of our paddle-boarding sessions.”

A spokesperson added: "Locks and weirs are lovely places to spend time for gongoozling – watching boats go by – and listening to the calming sounds of the water. 

"However, when the weather warms people sometimes get into difficulties after jumping into the canals and rivers to cool down.

"Locks are not swimming pools and have hidden ‘shelves’, called cills, which can seriously injure someone should they jump in, whilst weirs have strong currents which can pull even the strongest swimmers under the water."