A petition calling for measures to improve safety on the River Medway has gained more than 2,000 signatures in a few hours.

The call to Medway Council and Kent County Council comes eight days after Strood teenager Ben Savage went missing on a night out.

He was last seen on CCTV on Sun Pier in Chatham in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.

Yesterday his family released a heartbreaking statement saying they have accepted Ben most likely fell into the river. They have thanked everyone for their support and asked for time to grieve.

Within hours a petition had been set up on change.org calling for the walkways next to the river to be made safer.

'I feel that something needs to change to make it more safe' - campaigner Ashleigh Head

Ashleigh Head, who set up the online campaign, wrote: “Too many people over the past years have been going missing and end up being found in the River Medway, especially with nightlife being located so near by, not just in the Medway towns but Maidstone also.

"I feel that if we had enough signatures and support that maybe Medway Council and or Kent County Council could look into possibly making railings more higher or even having netting to reduce the risk of people falling or jumping into the river.

She added: “It breaks my heart for the families of those that have gone missing or have lost their life due to falling in the River and I feel that something needs to change to make it more safe.”

The petition gained 2,000 signatures in eight hours and now the name count is up to more than 2,500.

Claire Deadmon, from Newington, wrote: “Having this done would surely help the families of Patrick Lamb and Ben Savage, who can think even through their sad loss something is being done to stop this happening again. Should have been done two years ago when Patrick lost his life.”

Pat Lamb went missing after a night out in Maidstone in December 2014. He was found at Cuxton Marina following an intensive month-long search.

In April 2013, 18-year-old solider Josh Thomas slipped into the river and drowned after a night out in Rochester.

Their deaths followed that of Sonny Pataria, who drowned in the river at Chatham in 2009, just two days after celebrating his 18th birthday.

And in 2007, Terry Reynolds, 19, disappeared early on New Year’s Day after spending New Year’s Eve at The Casino Rooms in Rochester. His body was found in the river at Halling three weeks later.

Both Sonny and Terry's families and friends called for the river to be made safer.

Katie Geraghty, from Gillingham, wrote: “Too many lives are being destroyed and taken by how easy it is to fall into the river. You cannot stop people from wondering around when they’re drunk but you can prevent any more instances where they fall into the river.”

Natalie Croft said: “Since I’ve moved to Medway I’ve known of four people to fall in. It’s too easy to fall in please make it safe.”

To sign visit change.org and search River Medway.