PEOPLE are being warned about the dangers of wild swimming in the River Wylye in Heytesbury.

The warning comes from the Piscatorial Society, a body set up to promote fly fishing and conserving chalk streams such as the River Wylye.

The society is concerned about the dangers to human health from waterborne infections such as Weil's disease.

Many wild swimmers use popular stretches of the River Wylye during the summer months to indulge their pastime.

They include a spot between Hanging Langford and Steeple Langford close to a small car park off Duck Street, and Mill Pool, off Mill Street in Heytesbury.

In a letter to Heytesbury, Imber and Knook Parish Council, the society wants to see signs installed warning of the dangers. These include drowning, contracting Weil's disease, being cut on debris and sharp items, slipping on uneven river banks and pollution from sewage, farm or wild animal waste.

The society said: “Whilst our objective is to highlight the hazards, we are hopeful you will be supportive of the general message the river is ‘not safe for wild swimming’ and that you will post similar signage in those areas where you have a responsibility.”

Parish council clerk Heather Parks said councillors at Tuesday's meeting had shown no support for the signage the society proposed. She said: "They would not support any signage. The river is in riparian ownership and the parish council has no responsibility for the area and river swimming.”

The Environment Agency said: “Swimming in a river will always carry risk of infection through either ingestion of water or any open wounds.”