THE Press’s Think, Don’t Swim campaign will be taken into the pubs and bars of York, thanks to the printing of 1,000 beer mats carrying our message about the dangers of jumping into York’s rivers.

Printer People, in Walmgate, has created the mats, which city centre pubs and clubs will be asked to place on their tables.

The firm’s owner, John Maugham, said he was delighted to be able to do his bit to help such an important campaign.

John told how he had himself witnessed someone risk drowning in the Ouse about ten years ago, while he was having a drink on a hot day at the riverside Kings Arms pub.

He described how he had seen two men, who had clearly been drinking, jump into the river from Ouse Bridge.

“The first one landed in the water okay but the other guy’s knee was forced into his face when it hit the water, breaking his nose.”

He said the man managed to get out of the river with blood pouring from his nose, but John had wondered since then whether he might not have survived had it been dark.

The front of the mats carry the campaign logo, featuring a picture of 21-year-old bartender Richard Horrocks, who drowned after jumping into the Ouse from a balcony in July. He was the third person to die in York’s rivers so far this year.

On the back of the mat, there is the stark message:

“Richard thought he could swim across the River Ouse on July 24, 2011. He is pictured here, just hours before he tried. His funeral took place on August 1, 2011. He is survived by his devastated parents and sister. The Press has launched its Think, Don’t Swim campaign to try to prevent other people drowning.”

The campaign has the backing of Richard’s family and also of fire chiefs, who are increasingly concerned about river-related incidents which have led to their rescue boat being called into action at least once a week this year.