A SENIOR official at an East Lancashire quarry is pleading with people to stop using the site as a 'place to enjoy the sunshine'.

Roy Taylor, commercial manager at Jamestone Quarry, Haslingden, is ‘deeply concerned’ that people visiting and diving from heights into the freezing cold water aren’t thinking about the risks associated with their actions.

The quarry is privately-owned land and can only be accessed by jumping over a fence or walking past ‘no entry’ and ‘danger’ signs.

Lancashire Telegraph: NO ENTRY: Clear signage telling people to keep out

He said: “There were around 100 people up here yesterday plunging into the water and playing on the quarry edge.

"It’s not just kids, I’m talking about families too.

“I appreciate that it’s a nice spot, especially in this weather, but I’m genuinely just trying to save someone’s life.

"It’s incredibly dangerous to be doing what they’re doing.

“I’ve given up confronting these people now because I’ve been abused before. I’ve had 14 lads surround me once because I asked them to leave. What am I supposed to do?

“I called the police yesterday and told them that having 100 people all gathered together is breaking Covid regulations - they never turned up.

“They used to check up here a fair bit but you never see them now.”

Mr Taylor said that he has previously sent leaflets to schools to warn children of the dangers at the quarry, including ‘cold shock’, which can lead to drowning even on a hot summer's day.

Lancashire Telegraph: SUN: The recent good weather has seen huge numbers visiting

Rebecca Ramsay, from Chorley, lost her son Dylan, 13, when he went swimming in open water in July 2011.

On learning of the incidents at Jamestone Quarry, she said: “My message to the adults is to just be aware of who is watching you.

"It could potentially be your fault that someone loses their life because they’ve watched you and copied. To the children and teenagers, it really isn’t worth the risk.

"Twenty minutes of fun in the sun for you is not worth your family's lifetime of heartache and pain, which ultimately, when it all goes wrong, is what happens.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“My son was very unlucky and was only actually under water for three minutes in total. That’s a really important point to get out.

“That’s how quickly you can lose your life. I’m speaking to parents right now who’ve lost their children in open water this weekend, they’re broken."