Top level meetings are being held to discuss safety on a section of the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey following the dramatic rescue of a mother and her child who were swept away.

The Duke of Devonshire and the chief executive of the Bolton Abbey estate are involved in a review of safety on the river near Bolton Bridge.

The beauty spot, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, was the scene of a rescue when Susan Hastings and her daughter, Evie, seven, were swept into the turbulent river while crossing the famous stepping stones.

Courageous rescuers - including firefighters and passer-by Matthew Firth, from Cottingley, Bingley - managed to drag the mother and daughter to safety following a 40-minute struggle.

Mrs Hastings' husband, Ashley, 44, was also knocked over by the force of the water as he tried to help his wife and daughter. He called for more safety equipment and warning signs to alert people of the power of the river after the rescue last month.

Ben Hayes, a spokesman for the Devonshire Group, which runs the Bolton Abbey Estate, said: "We are discussing safety at group level, which includes the chief executive of the estate and the duke, and we are waiting to hear from our advisors about what should be done."

Mr Hayes said the stones at Bolton Bridge would be included in a review of safety of the river, which passes through the estate's 30,000 acres. The review is also expected to include safety at the Strid, a fast-flowing and rocky stretch of the Wharfe.

Mr Hayes ruled out removing the stones because they are within the grounds of Bolton Abbey's ruined Augustinian Priory Church.

He said: "This makes them particularly important for heritage, so we are seeking advice about what else we could do. Safety netting is also not possible as the river washes it downstream and barriers pick up detritus.

"Our visitors' safety is very important but we don't want to over-react. The river and the abbey have provided so much happiness to so many visitors over the years that we have to make sure that any action we do take is appropriate. We want to get out the wider message for people to take care in the countryside generally. Nature constantly reminds us of its power, and people should be aware of what it can do."

Mr and Mrs Hastings had been enjoying a day out when Susan and Evie were swept into the river.

After the rescue, which involved the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue team, Mr Hastings described the river as "like a horizontal waterfall."

Mr Hastings said: "It is amazing that there is nothing suitable there in case anyone gets stuck, even if it is just a rope underwater that people can cling onto if they get stuck. There also needs to be more warning signs."