Warning not to jump off bridge in warm weather

Devil’s Bridge, in Kirkby Lonsdale, is a popular tourist attraction

As the weather warms up, people are being warned not to jump off a bridge into the river below.

Cumbria Police said they had received reports that people were jumping off Devil's Bridge, in Kirkby Lonsdale, which is a popular tourist spot on the River Lune.

The force reminded people that there is a byelaw in place preventing people jumping off the 40ft-high (12m) bridge, and warned the law would "be utilised, if required, to prosecute any individual who decides to undertake this dangerous act".

Several injuries have been reported over the years as a result of jumping off the ancient, three-arched bridge, with a 22-year-old man from Manchester dying in 2012.

South Lakes Police released a statement which said "things often go wrong" when people jump from the bridge.

"When this happens a plethora of emergency services are deployed to an entirely avoidable set of circumstances, and in turn are not available to deal with other emergency incidents," the police statement said.

Signs are in place alerting visitors to a byelaw which bans jumping off the bridge

Officers also warned against children entering the water at the site unaccompanied.

"We appreciate that, with the onset of warm weather, many visitors and locals may wish to enjoy the refreshing waters of the River Lune," said a police statement.

But it added: "The riverbed around the bridge is deceptive, and people have previously gotten into difficulty."