YOUTHS are being urged not to dice with death by swimming at a Trafford beauty spot.

An alert has been issued by town hall chiefs after young people were seen bathing at Urmston Meadows this week.

The same location was also the focus of a gang attack by teenagers and paramedics who came to treat them, in nearby Easbrook Road.

Council officials say youths - many under the influence of alcohol - are reportedly congregating on ‘the beach’ at the meadows and are putting themselves at risk by jumping into the River Mersey.

Now town hall leaders and police say they are becoming very concerned about the situation as the currents in the river can be deceptively strong.

And they fear the dangerous activity will continue with a return to warmer weather throughout the summer months.

Cllr Mike Freeman, the borough council’s executive member for public safety, said: "If you jump in a river you are taking your life into your hands.

"Rivers and deep bodies of water stay cold whatever the weather and it’s very easy to get into trouble and drown.

"People who have been drinking lose their inhibitions and decide to swim in the rivers against their better judgement.

"Please don’t be tempted to cool off in rivers during the warm weather, it is extremely dangerous and you should avoid it at all costs.

"Also, actions like this put huge pressure on the emergency services who are extremely stretched already due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Drowning Prevention Week starts on June 12, backed by the Royal Life Saving Society.