THE parents of a teenager who drowned while swimming at a beauty spot today said they hoped other parents would never experience their suffering.

Nicholas Wetton, 17, got into difficulties on Sunday afternoon while swimming with friends at the Blue Lagoon reservoir, near Belmont.

The teenager's family were at the scene when he was pulled from the water by divers from Bolton Mountain Rescue.

Parents Carol and Darren Wetton, of Mavis Street, Coppull, near Chorley said: "Nicky was a loving, caring and very precious son to us.

"He was loved by all who knew him.

"We have lost our son in a tragic accident and would not like any other parents to suffer the pain we are now suffering."

"Nicky's friends tried in vain to help him.

"He will be missed by all of us, his parents, his sister

Kirstie, his grandparents, family and all his friends.

"We would like to sincerely thank all the rescue services involved, the police and staff at the Royal Preston Hospital."

The teenager's friends were unable to find him after he disappeared under the water and the emergency services were called at around 4pm. It was more than hour before Nicholas was found by the rescue divers.

Although the area has signs warning people not to swim the death prompted Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle to call for the area to be fenced off.

Police and fire officials have also warned people - especially young people - about the dangers of swimming in such locations where water is often deep, cold and has strong currents.

There have been several drowning incidents at the site - officially called Ward's reservoir - in recent years.

At the scene yesterday, police tape sealed off access to a small embankment where the 17-year-old was thought to have drowned.

Further along the embankment, close to the water at the side of the road, some underpants and a pair of socks lay in the grass, a suggestion of some late-night skinny-dipping by other swimmers.

Eric Carolan, from Breightmet, just down the road from the reservoir, was feeding the ducks with his wife and child. He said: "I used to swim here myself when I was a boy over on the opposite bank.

"The water is very deep, around 80ft in places, and very cold and is colder the further out you go.

"Me and my family come here to feed the ducks but there is no way I would ever let them get too close to the bank.

"It's far too dangerous."

Ronald Haydock regularly fishes at nearby Lower Roddlesworth Reservoir, Abbey Village, just down the road from Belmont.

He said: "The Blue Lagoon is notorious and I can recall a number of people drowning in there down the years.

"The water is very cold and people often get into difficulties.

"We get a couple of hot days and people just seem to think the water will be warm too despite the warning signs.

"Sadly that isn't the case and warnings are ignored."