An investigation has been launched to stop youngsters risking their lives by leaping into the River Wharfe from Ilkley's bridges.

Parish councillors are worried someone could be injured or killed and are looking into putting up signs warning of the dangers of jumping into the river.

Members of Ilkley Parish Council's finance and general purposes committee discussed the issue after concerns were raised about young people jumping off the New Brook Street and Denton bridges.

Council vice-chairman Lexa Robinson said she had once even seen a young man leap into the river from the Denton footbridge on his bike.

She said: "I would support putting up signs to say no jumping off the bridges and it would be nice if something could be done.

"It's a dangerous river anyway and if it's low and someone dives in headfirst they could sustain very bad head injuries.''

Fellow parish councillor Julia Collington said youngsters had assured her the water below the New Brook Street bridge was deep enough, but added: "It would be very sad if we did have an incident in Ilkley.''

Parish council clerk Miggy Bailey said a letter calling for safety signs had also been received from one concerned family who had been paddling in the river during the summer and lost their shoes when the water level rose suddenly.

She said: "It can be a dangerous river and we're obviously concerned about people jumping from the bridges and have got to look into the best way of dealing with it.''

Mrs Bailey said they would be looking at the possibility of putting up signs but added: "It's a fine line though because some people might say having signs there would not deter people and would actually encourage them.''

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