YOUNG people have been urged to stay away from icy reservoirs after an 11-year-old caught hypothermia in a Nelson lake.

The schoolboy was playing with friends near Walverden Reservoir, around lunchtime on Saturday, when he slipped and fell in.

Because of the temperature of the water he was unable to reach the shore and the emergency services were alerted.

The 11-year-old had fallen in at the Brunswick Street end of the waters, close to an overflow leading to a small brook below.

Firefighter Iftikhar Ahmed, of Nelson’s Green Watch, said: “It was quite deep there and the child was in the water up to his knees and could not move.

“We used a raft to get out there and bring him back to safety and then he was taken by ambulance to hospital, as he was suffering a little bit from hypothermia.”

The boy, who has not been named, was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital but released after treatment.

The reservoir is owned by water company United Utilities and is a popular spot for dog walkers and ramblers.

Warning signs erected near several access points to the waters urge against swimming in the reservoir.

Later Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman John Taylor said: “The risks of swimming in reservoirs and rivers are well documented.

“And in this cold weather there is also the risk of the water being icy, of course. We would urge young people to stay away.”

Just over a fortnight ago similar warnings were issued by the authorities after youngsters were spotted trekking across the frozen lake in Barrowford Park and nearby stretches of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.