HUNDREDS of youngsters at York schools are taking part in a series of events to teach children about water safety this week.

The events have been timed to coincide with the Royal Life Saving Society's Drowning Prevention Week, which runs until Sunday, and yesterday saw pupils from St Wilfrid's RC School in Monkgate take part in special water safety lessons at Bootham School.

Groups from around York are finding out more about water safety through City of York Council's River Safety Resource pack, which was launched earlier this year as part of its River Safety Group, which works with Safer York Partnership, the Canal and River Trust and emergency services, to help teach schoolchildren to look out for danger around open water.

Councillor David Carr said: "We want to reach every child in every school and build an early understanding of the risks of open water. Drowning Prevention Week is an ideal opportunity to reinforce those messages and the support of the Ebor Lifesaving Club in delivering them is invaluable."

The River Safety Group was set up last year following the deaths of three young people in York's rivers, Megan Roberts, Ben Clarkson and Tyler Pearson. Megan's mother Jackie has also assisted the RLSS this week by helping to create a video showing the effects of losing a loved one in a drowning incident.

Ebor Lifesaving Club is running life saving drills with local primary schools, including Carr Junior, Wigginton, Osbaldwick and Copmanthorpe, to help the children learn how to protect themselves and others near open water.

Carr Junior School has also created an interactive assembly to teach children the water safety code, and teach them how to spot dangers and keep themselves safe in and around water.

Linda Nelson, secretary of the Ebor Lifesaving Club (ELSC), said: "At one event at Scarcroft School, more than 300 pupils engaged enthusiastically in our focus on water in many locations, including the beach, river, swimming pool and even the home.

"Water safety is important throughout the year and the Ebor Lifesaving Club meets on Friday evenings to teach lifesaving and life support skills to anyone aged upwards from eight and who is able to swim 25 metres."

More information on the campaign is available at rlss.org.uk