POLICE have repeated their warnings to stay away from open water during the hot weather - no matter how inviting it may look.

Evening Press photographer David Harrison captured youngsters leaping from the road bridge at Kirkham Abbey, in Ryedale, plunging into the River Derwent below.

PC Ian Fraser, of Malton police, said it was vital to understand the dangers.

"There have already been cases of deaths in other parts of Yorkshire due to the effects the sudden cold water can have on the body," he said.

"There's obviously a certain amount of current and flow on the river in that location should anyone get into difficulties - and there is always a first time. All it needs is for someone to enter the water at an awkward angle or collide with something."

PC Fraser said that because the bridge was fairly isolated emergency crews would lose vital time getting to any casualty.

Forecaster Lindsey Quarrie, of PA Weather, said the sunny spell should continue into the weekend, with maximum temperatures hitting 25C on Saturday.

"Friday will be quite warm and Saturday should get very warm," she said.

"It will be less muggy than recently with the humidity going down, although there will be the risk of the odd shower.

"On Sunday there will be more of a chance of rain and it could be quite cloudy - maximum temperature 21C."

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, June 19, 2003