WYRE Forest youngsters have been warned not to swim in the district's rivers and canals after a Stourport lock-keeper was threatened when giving advice to teenagers risking their lives at the weekend.

The British Waterways worker was verbally abused by a group of up to eight male and female swimmers, aged up to 17, at Lincomb Lock on the River Severn, at about 1pm on Saturday.

A similar incident involving the lock-keeper, believed to have been carried out by the same youths, occurred the previous evening.

British Waterways spokeswoman, Vicky Blower, said reports of children swimming in the town's historic Canal Basins had also been reported over recent weeks.

She added: "This sort of thing happens every summer around the area, as it does all over the country. It is one of our main concerns and if people continue they could get seriously injured.

"It just simply is not safe to swim in rivers or canals because there are so many dangers. A lot are hidden beneath the surface and cannot be seen.

"As well as issues with depth and flow of the water there are also health issues. The bacteria and germs are fine for animals like ducks but not for humans."

Michael Vockins, West Mercia Constabulary spokesman, said: "We urge everyone, irrespective of how strong a swimmer they are, not to be tempted to jump into or swim in unauthorised waters - no matter how hot it gets or how seemingly irresistible is the temptation.

"With such high temperatures, it is easy to understand the inviting prospect of a cooling swim but swimming in pools, lakes or rivers which are unsupervised is fraught with danger."

Police would like to hear from people who were near the river on Saturday afternoon or Friday evening and might be able to identify the youths involved.

Witnesses and anyone with information should contact the police on 08457 444888, quoting incident number 545S/220706.