A THIRD of all drownings in Greater Manchester last year occurred in Bolton and Bury. The chilling revelation has come to light in the wake of the death of tragic eight-year-old Jaffer Javid. And today, in a bid to ensure such tragedies never happen again, the Bolton Evening News is spearheading a campaign calling for the filling-in of Bolton's disused mill lodges and rubbish-strewn ponds.
Our call for action has already received the backing of MP Brian Iddon and Bolton Council leader Bob Howarth.
Figures released by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents show drownings -- more than three-quarters of which occur on inland water -- to be the third largest cause of death among children in Britain.
In 1999 there were 18 deaths across Greater Manchester, six of which happened in the Bolton and Bury areas. And with fences often presenting little more than a challenge to youngsters, the BEN believes that draining the water and filling in the resultant hole is the only viable option.
During the day we will be downloaded various background reports giving further details of our campaign.
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