MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council is working in partnership with a number of local organisations to help save the lives of people who take to the water this summer.

The council will join forces with the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Gwent Police and SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) to promote Drowning Prevention Week which started last Saturday (20th June) and runs until this Saturday (27th June).

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) is running the national campaign in the county's schools and leisure centres. Using activities and resources provided by the society, events will take place to ensure everyone knows how to have fun and stay safe near water.

The council aims to deliver resource packs to every school in the county during Drowning Prevention Week and the leisure centres in Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth will provide advice on avoiding the dangers posed by water. 

While many people swim in rivers, lakes and quarries as the summer approaches, staff will take the opportunity to prove that the best place to cool off is the local leisure centre pool where there is always a lifeguard on duty.

Various activities will take place during the week at all of the county's leisure centres.

Helen Dymond, manager of the Chepstow and Caldicot Leisure Centres said: "Shockingly, drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death in children in the UK.  

"Around 400 people drown in the UK each year, and thousands more suffer near-drowning experiences, many resulting in life-changing injuries."

Councillor Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire's cabinet member with responsibility for leisure said: "It is vitally important that we warn people about the risks presented by water and the county council is pleased to back the Royal Life Saving Society and its Drowning Prevention Week campaign as well as work with other partners to cut accidents and fatalities."

Swimming development officer for Monmouthshire, Natalie Parfitt, said: "We are happy to support RLSS UK to save lives and reduce accidents by informing our customers and the public about how to be safe near water."

Chepstow School head teacher Claire Price said: "Keeping young people safe near water is of vital importance, especially as the hot weather approaches.  

"We are pleased to support RLSS UK in educating our students about the dangers of unsupervised open water."

The Drowning Prevention Week campaign also encourages people to fundraise on behalf of the charity's drowning prevention work.  

Money raised will go towards ensuring schoolchildren know how to stay safe near water, funding the creation of new lifesaving clubs, helping existing lifesaving clubs to provide water safety education, funding supporters to teach water safety in developing countries and supporting families affected by drowning or near-drowning.

Visit the Drowning Prevention Week section at http://www.rlss.org.uk">www.rlss.org.uk for more information.

South Wales fire service specialist rescue team will be carrying out their water rescue demonstrations at Monmouth Rowing Club tomorrow (25th June) from 4pm to 5pm in aid of Drowning Prevention Week. Please come along to show your support and help raise awareness.