Life-saving equipment installed along river bank

The safety equipment has been designed to help people who fall in the river

New life-saving equipment has been installed at a city park, which could be used to save someone from drowning in a nearby river.

Southampton City Council has installed 14 water-rescue cabinets along the water's edge at Riverside Park in Southampton.

Each cabinet contains a throw line that can be directed at a person who is at risk of drowning in the River Itchen.

In order to prevent it being vandalised and to ensure emergency services are alerted, the equipment is only accessed by phoning 999 and retrieving a code to unlock the box.

Riverside Park is a 32-hectare (79-acre) site located along the River Itchen and is one of Southampton's 11 Green Flag awarded parks.

Each cabinet is visible in the dark thanks to a light on the top of it

John Savage, cabinet member for environment and net zero at Southampton City Council, said: "Residents and visitors alike love Riverside Park, so we want to ensure that if someone does get into difficulties when they're in the water that passers by can assist them while they wait for an ambulance to arrive.

"Southampton City Council is pleased to be able to fund this life-saving equipment as this will help to reduce the risk of bathers and swimmers coming to harm."