Two teenagers trying to cool down in the heatwave had to be rescued by firefighters after swimming in the River Trent near Rugeley.

The boys, said to be in their late teens, got into difficulty yesterday afternoon after going for a swim in the river. They were swimming near Wolseley Road but became trapped after climbing onto an embankment covered in dense vegetation.

A passer-by who came across the boys contacted Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and firefighters were able to cut down the vegetation and lead the teenagers to safety. Senior firefighters are warning people and particularly teenagers not to be tempted to swim in rivers and lakes during the current hot weather.

Assistant area commander for Cannock Mark Williams said: “The teenagers got onto an embankment for safety but they were stuck due to the river which was fast flowing in places on one side of them and a very steep bank covered in vegetation the other side of them. Firefighters managed to cut down some of the vegetation and lead them to safety up the bank.

“This incident highlights the dangers of swimming in unsupervised pools, lakes and in rivers.”

A summer health warning has been issued by the Met Office – the first one in three years – because of the heat and the West Midlands was today bracing itself for more hot weather.