MORE needs to be done to discourage children going near a Barrow reservoir.

That was the view of councillor Bill McEwan after three fire crews were called to Ormsgill reservoir to help a child who had become stuck in the mud.

It is believed he was playing with a friend and was trapped up to his shins.

His friend was unable to get him out so they called emergency services.

Councillor McEwan said he thinks action is needed to make people more aware of the risks.

This comes less than a week after an inquest into the death of a Barrow man who drowned just 10 feet from the edge of the reservoir last year.

Cllr McEwan said: “I can’t stress enough, that people have got to know about the dangers of the reservoirs.

“People don’t realise how cold the water is and how deep it is.

“Children especially have to realise the risks.

“We have to emphasise this to young people.

“I think parents and schools have got to emphasise this to them and tell them to keep away from the reservoir.

“They don’t know enough about the dangers.

“I will be looking more in to this and see if we can have signs made warning people.”

The incident unfolded at around 1:40pm on Saturday.

Ian Westall, watch manager at Barrow Fire Station, explained there was some difficulty reaching the child as he was at the north of the reservoir, away from any of the roads around the reservoir.

He said two firefighters pulled the child out of the mud.

Shayne Parkinson, watch manager at Ulverston Fire Station, emphasised the risks of going in the reservoir or playing near the reservoir.

He discouraged people from going swimming.

He said: “We are forever informing people of the risk of drowning in Cumbrian waters.

“It might seem like an inviting place to go for a swim.

“But the waters can be extremely cold and dangerous.

“We would encourage the public to be mindful of reservoirs and lakes, and not to swim in them.”