MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is warning locals of the dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers during the current spell of warm weather.

Group manager for community safety, Karen Jones, said there is concern that lockdown boredom may encourage some people to go swimming or diving into lakes and rivers.

"It is of the utmost importance that they do not," she said.

There is very few locations of water that are lifeguarded in Wales, due to the coronavirus lockdown, and the danger to an individual who dives or even ventures into a body of water is significant, warned Ms Jones.

She added: "If you are near a body of water, do not jump into the water from a height, otherwise known as ‘tombstoning’. The depth of the water changes and will be particularly low during periods of warm and dry weather. The depth of water can be difficult to judge and may contain hidden rubbish and debris which can cause injuries and drowning."

Cold water shock is another danger associated with jumping into water. Cold water shock can kill. The temperatures of open water, such as rivers and lakes, can be much colder than anticipated, especially in fast flowing sections.

Ms Jones said: "Cold water removes heat from the body 32 times faster than cold air causing cold shock – gasping, cramps, and inhalation of water, heart attack, stroke and rapid drowning.”