CHILDREN throughout York could be given extra lessons about river safety as part of the drive to reduce the number of tragedies in the Ouse and Foss.

Plans have been put forward by City of York Council, but could be delayed due to a lack of access to pools.

A report before the Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee next Wednesday looks at action the council aims to take to help prevent further deaths in York's rivers, following four tragedies in the first half of this year, which also prompted a report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents into safety around the rivers.

In a written report to next week's meeting, deputy council leader Tracy Simpson-Laing wrote: "I think all are aware that information is key as is personal responsibility.

"RoSPA’s report includes a recommendation on water safety campaigns, training on raising the alarm and education. A lot has and is already taken place."

Since September, schools in York have had water safety and aquatic skills added to their curriculum, and in the summer the council funded water safety lessons and awareness sessions at the Energise Leisure Centre.

David Ellis, head teacher at York High and part of the York School Sports Network, said the plans were still under construction.

He said: "Under Key Stage 2 PE, all children aged between seven and 11 are taught about water safety and all young people should be able to swim at least 25m.

"It's obviously early days, but currently we're trying to work with the primary schools and local authority pool providers and private providers in the city to see if we can come up with a plan that's affordable for all schools to get access to pools, that's one of the main problems. It's a work in progress."

Martijn Huibers, who helped rescue a woman from the Ouse last week, said early education in his native Holland was one of the reasons he was able to help.

He said: "Council cuts don't always make it possible to train people like this, but it really did help me in this case."

Cllr Simpson-Laing's report also says letters were sent in August to licensees to express concern that alcohol was being sold to people who were already drunk. No licences have yet been reviewed.