YOUNGSTERS have been warned of the perils of York's waterways, after a man had to be pulled from the Ouse by river cruise staff.

Workers at the York Boat yard, near Lendal Bridge, used a pleasure boat to pluck the man to safety after seeing he was in distress.

York Boat skippers have since been warned to be extra vigilant of people playing in and around the river, particularly near the Clifton and Millennium Bridges.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said a tragic incident in County Durham, when a 12-year-old boy drowned while playing with friends at a beauty spot, highlighted the dangers of open water.

He said: "We would ask people to be aware of the hidden dangers of swimming in open water, especially as the warmer weather approaches.

"Even if the temperatures are high, the water is often cold and can lead to swimmers getting into difficulties. Parents should also be aware of what their children are doing during the half-term break."

York Boat employees used a sightseeing boat and a ladder to rescue a man after they saw him struggling in water near Lendal bridge.

Marketing manager Sarah Porteus said the man, who has not been named, was shocked but otherwise unhurt after the incident. She said York Boat staff were pleased to be able to put safety and rescue training they had been given into practice.

"They used the boat to stop the man being carried further downstream and pulled him out of the water using a ladder.

"Our skippers have to be aware of anybody in the water and they often have to be extra vigilant outside of the city limits in Clifton and around the Millennium bridge," she said.

The 12-year-old boy died after playing in the River Browney, a tributary of the River Wear near Sunderland Bridge, between Durham and Croxdale.

The sunny weather is set to continue this weekend. Jeremy Plester, of PA Weather, said the weekend would be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 25 and 26 degrees Celsius on both Saturday and Sunday. But he warned there is a chance there will be one or two sudden downpours.

Updated: 11:15 Friday, May 30, 2003