Children are putting their lives at risk by diving from a bridge into the river below.

Now an angling club which monitors the stretch of the River Aire near Kildwick Bridge is warning of the “unseen perils” beneath the water and has launched a campaign warning young people of the dangers.

Keighley Angling Club, which has fishing rights on the stretch of River Aire, issued its warning after being contacted by a concerned member of the public.

Club secretary Dennis Freemen said: “This is a very serious issue – in America this month three youngsters died while river swimming and we are determined to get out a strong message to deter this activity here.

“I know we seem to be a long way off from hot sunny days but we will have good weather eventually and as a responsible club we want to stop anyone from being harmed.”

The club is writing to head teachers in the area asking them to discourage their pupils from swimming in the river. Its message has been backed by the Canal and River Trust – a new charity which has just taken over responsibility for waterways in England and Wales – and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).