Water rescue demonstrations at Jubilee event

Firefighters are taking part in a series of events across Rochdale to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics Games.

Crews from Rochdale, Heywood and Littleborough fire stations are getting involved with a number of events this summer, starting with water demonstrations at Hollingworth Lake.

Volunteers and Community Safety Advisors (CSAs) will also be at various sports and leisure centres giving out fire safety advice and offering free Home Safety Checks.

The events are part of Link4Life’s 'The BIG Games' to mark a year of international events including the Olympics Games and the Diamond Jubilee.

As part of The BIG Games programme, a water festival is taking place at Hollingworth Lake on Sunday 3 June, when Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) crews from will perform water rescue demonstrations at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Rochdale Borough Manager Tony Lander said: “We wanted to get involved in this event to highlight the dangers of playing in and around water courses and reservoirs and the time and resources involved in reaching those in difficulty, particularly if the reservoir is in a remote location.

“There are a number of dangers involved in getting into water that isn't intended for swimmers – the water is often much colder and a different depth than expected, anything can lie beneath the surface and even strong swimmers can be taken by surprise by the currents.”