CONCERNS have been raised after a pair were spotted floating along a canal on inflatables on the hottest day of the year.

In the picture, taken by a passer-by, two people can be seen reclining on inflatable boats on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Blackburn.

The picture, taken from the bridge close to The Raj in Mill Hill, appears to show the pair relaxing fully clothed as temperatures reached 24 degrees in parts.

However the picture has prompted a safety warning, with ward councillor for the area Jim Smith calling on people to use some common sense.

He said: “If you look at the number of people who have died after getting into trouble on the stretch of canal between Ewood and Mill Hill, it's a large number.

“I would urge people to be sensible and to not act in any way that will put either themselves, others or members of our emergency services at risk.”

The picture was taken on the same day fire bosses and United Utilities pleaded with people not to go swimming in reservoirs and other restricted inland waters as the weather takes a turn for the better. A spokesman: “Despite warnings, we continue to hear of the needless deaths of people, mainly teenagers, drowning in open water.”