THE family of a teenager who drowned in a reservoir have successfully campaigned for safety features to be installed around it.

Ever since James Goodship died in Lower Foulridge Reservoir after getting into difficulty while playing on a raft in the summer of 2014, his mother and father Mel and Peter Goodship, has campaigned to improve safety in the area and prevent future deaths.

After four long years Mel, 44, has worked with the Canal and River Trust and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to install permanent warning signs at all the entrances to the reservoir.

Emergency safety boards containing throw lines will also be installed around the reservoir, which can be unlocked and thrown into the water if someone gets into difficulty.

The plumbing apprentice from Colne, had been playing on the makeshift raft with seven friends on the reservoir during warm weather before he drowned.

Mrs Goodship said her campaign wanted to help prevent similar deaths in the future.

She said: "I have been working for the last four years on this since James drowned.

"The deep waters of reservoirs are very dangerous, you can get into difficulty very quickly and people should not go in.

"I know this campaign will never bring James back, but I wanted to prevent deaths in reservoirs in the future.

"I know it sounds very cliche but even if these signs stop one person going into the water, or the throw lines save someone who went in, then they have worked.

"People don't just go in to swim, I've heard of people jumping in after dogs, falling, its not always intentional."

The safety boards will feature accurate location details and other life-saving advice.

Mrs Goodship said a memorial bench for her son will be placed in a safe location near the reservoir.

She said: "The views will always be bitter sweet for me now.

"I want people to be able to sit and appreciate the views, and hopefully it will serve as a warning for families to teach their children to not go into the water."

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "It can be easy to miss the dangers of swimming in open water during the summer months when the water looks so inviting, but cold water shock and what lurks under the surface are real dangers.

"We hope that having these boards in place will not only make people consider their actions but also provide an aid should someone enter the water and get into difficulty."

Daniel Greenhalgh, regional director at the Canal & River Trust: “We’ve been working with Mel Goodship on water safety campaigns for the last few years to raise awareness of swimming in canals and reservoirs following the tragic drowning of her son James at Lower Foulridge Reservoir. 

"Over the last few months the Trust has been working with Lancashire Fire & Rescue to install throw lines at the reservoir and thanks to Mel’s help, throw lines are being installed at two locations on the reservoir along with permanent warning signs. 

"A memorial bench in memory of James will also be fitted in the next few weeks.

“We hope that the new signage and memorial to James will highlight the dangers of swimming in the reservoir. 

"There are risks below the surface of the water you can’t see, such as cold temperature of the water, reeds, obstacles in the water and even the strongest swimmers can get into difficulty. 

"The Trust wants people to come and visit our wonderful canals and reservoirs but stay safe.”