Lifeboat crews warn over drinking

Lifeboat crews were called out to three incidents which involved drinking

People on Wearside have been warned not to risk their lives by going swimming after drinking.

In the past two weeks lifeboat crews were called out to two incidents in the River Wear and one in the sea off the coast of Sunderland.

In each case people had to be rescued when they got into difficulties in the water after consuming alcohol.

Paul Nicholson, senior helmsman with Sunderland RNLI, said: "Our message is don't drink and drown."

He added: "We do say to anyone that if they are going down the coast and they are going to drink not to think about getting into the water.

"The effects of the alcohol speed up the effects of the cold and it can very, very quickly turn into a tragedy."