THE mother of Megan Roberts has joined a national charity's plea for people to stay safe while drinking this Christmas.

Megan, 20, died after falling into the River Ouse in York during a night out with friends from York St John University in January, and was the first of five people to die in York's rivers this year.

Since Megan's death, her mother Jackie Roberts, from Wetherby, has supported a number of appeals to raise awareness of river safety, including The Press' Take Care campaign, and has this month joined the Royal Life Saving Society in their annual Christmas and New Year Don't Drink and Drown campaign.

Staff and volunteers from the charity dressed as lifeguards to promote the campaign in Birmingham on Thursday, to coincide with the nationwide launch.

Jackie said facing Christmas for the first time without her daughter this year was "unbearable", and she was pleased with the way the RLSS was warning people, after figures show that between a quarter and a half of all adults who drown have alcohol in their bloodstreams.

She said: "I would ask people to do everything they can to prevent another family going through the same devastating loss by planning their route home to avoid waterways after drinking.

"Falling into, or attempting to swim, in cold, open water, especially at this time of year and after drinking is likely to be fatal. Facing Christmas without Meg this year is unbearable. I would say to people 'enjoy your night out, stick together and get home safe'."

Di Steer, RLSS UK chief executive, said: "It’s easy to forget when you’re having a good time but drinking near open water can be a deadly cocktail. So whether people are going to an office party or having a night out with friends we’re urging them to take heed of our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign and stay safe by avoiding open water while under the influence of alcohol."