LOCAL youths may be putting their lives at risk by entering disused quarries in our area to swim and have fun.

That's the message from Wellington police, who say they have been called to a number of incidents during the recent spell of hot weather.

PCSO Louise Fyne, of the Safer Stronger Neighbourhood Team based at Wellington Police Station told the WWN: "Police have been called and have advised youths that not only are they committing a civil offence of trespass but that they are putting their lives at risk.

"Most deaths that occur in abandoned mines and quarries are by drowning, and most of the people who drown didn't fall in by accident. They went there to swim."

She warned: "Don't swim in a quarry."