POLICE have issued a warning about the dangers of open water after two youngsters were found swimming in the River Irwell.

Officers on patrol in Bury discovered two 12-year-old boys playing in the river, near Wellington Street, on Tuesday afternoon.

The pair did not require rescuing, although police decided to intervene to prevent any possible danger.

Police later took to social media to say the youngsters were safe and had been reunited with their parents.

They also urged other parents to be aware of where their children are, and to advise them of the dangers of swimming in open water.

Sergeant Simon Ward from Greater Manchester Police's Bury division added: "We have open water in several locations around Bury.

"With it being the hot weather and the summer holidays, we are asking parents to be aware and make sure they speak to the children.

"In this instance, the children did not need to be rescued. 

"It was about getting them out before something went wrong."

The warning from police comes less than a month after 12-year-old Shukri Abdi was found drowned in the River Irwell, near Dunster Road.

The girl is thought to have been with two other youngsters, also aged 12, when the tragedy happened.

Police have put the incident down to a tragic accident, although campaigners - including the girl’s mother Zamzam Ture - say Shukri was bullied while attending Broad Oak High School and have called on police and the school to investigate the matter further.