POLICE say young people have been using a lifebelt as a swing on the river Wye in Hereford.

West Mercia Police said it had dealt with several reports of young people jumping and swimming in rivers across the county in Saturday.

Officers said they appreciated the desire to cool off as temperatures hit 30C, but urged people to act sensibly.

Police were at Canary Bridge, over the river Wye in Hereford, and found the lifebelt fixed to the bridge being used as a swing.

"Those life rings [lifebelts] are there to save lives if someone is in distress in the river," police said.

Police asked parents to check the whereabouts of their children, adding: "There are groups of children underage drinking and jumping into the river on parts of the river Wye and river Lugg.

"Please make sure they are aware of the dangers."