by Jess Banham

A major safety campaign has been launched after three deaths on the River Medway in a matter of months.

Children in Maidstone are being offered swimming lessons for free after two youngsters drowned in the River Medway in just two months.

In April, Cameron Sandell from Hunton, died when his canoe capsized at Teston Lock.

Then two weeks ago, 12-year-old Alex Chappell from Maidstone, drowned after playing with friends on a rope swing over the river at a park near The Stampers in Tovil, and falling into the water.

And this week there was a third death, when 42-year-old Keith Brook, from Snodland, drowned after falling in the river near Sandling Road in Maidstone.

Now, as part of the new drive, Maidstone Leisure Trust is committing £5,000 to set up a special fund which will provide a two-month swimming course free of charge to more than 130 primary school aged children in the borough.

Paul Alcock, Maidstone Leisure Trust chairman, said: "It's an essential thing in life.

"Not everyone has the opportunity to take up swimming lessons, it might be because of economic reasons, it might be because of parental reasons.

"We're just trying to make the offer to fill that gap for children who don't have the opportunity."

The joint campaign has been launched by Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent County Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone Leisure Centre and the Environment Agency, to teach children the dangers associated with playing near rivers.

Kent Fire and Rescue will be visiting schools in the area, before they break up for the holidays, to offer their top tips on staying safe around water.

Chris Phipps, a crew manager at Larkfield Fire Station, said: "Tell them not to go near or into the water alone or unsupervised and never jump in the water."

Crews will also attend Maidstone River Festival next month to talk to visiting parents and children.

Mr Phipps added: "Rivers and lakes have unseen dangers. They have rubbish, shopping trolleys and weeds that swimmers can get caught in.

"Hidden currents, weirs and locks can often be beyond the ability of even a good swimmer."