YOUNG men laugh as they hurl themselves 20 feet from a platform into a reservoir on the outskirts of Bolton which has been the scene of drowning tragedies.

Someone else filmed their dangerous stunt - then placed it on a video-sharing website.

Fire chiefs have condemned the stunt as "reckless" and said all of the three youths had risked their lives.

The film, which was shot on a mobile phone before being posted on YouTube.com, shows the youths plunging from the platform into the Blue Lagoon at Belmont.

The video was posted two weeks ago but was filmed, according to the user, called t56gps, on "the first day of summer".

Two young men are seen jumping feet-first into the lodge before a pal dives head-long into the water of the Blue Lagoon, which is offically called Ward's Reservoir.

Paul Duggan, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said: "Every time someone goes into open water, they risk their life and also the lives of those who might be called to rescue them. Far too often we are called to deal with people who have got in to difficulties in deep water despite repeated warnings.

"It's of some concern that someone filmed them and put it on a website because it could potentially encourage others.

"I'd like to reiterate that bodies of water like this are very dangerous and a number of deaths in recent years goes to highlight that.

"Even on the hottest day in summer, the sun isn't strong enough to lift the temperature of the water so that it doesn't pose a threat."

Nicholas Wetton, aged 17, from Coppull, was the most recent victim of the reservoir's deep waters when he got into difficulties after swimming with friends on a hot August day in 2004.

His death came four years after David McHugh, aged 33, from Salford, drowned while trying to save his seven-year-old son Daniel after their dinghy sank in August, 2000. Daniel was saved by passers-by who plunged into the water to save him.