Life-saving safety training has been given to riverside businesses to help people who get into trouble in the water.

The session, which was run by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) and the RNLI, was put on for businesses based close to the River Medway in Maidstone.

It took place at the Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre, owned by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), and was attended by workers from Asda, David Lloyd, One Maidstone, Lockmeadow and Maidstone Market.

Grant Brooker, KFRS tactical advisor for water rescue and flooding, said: "Every year in the UK around 600 people drown, many of whom did not intend to enter the water.

"To try to reduce these largely preventable deaths, we're working alongside the RNLI to deliver essential water safety training to waterside businesses across Kent, which includes how to use a throw line and life ring.

"Any riverside businesses in Maidstone that are interested in training for their staff around water safety and what to do in a water emergency, please get in touch."

The main reasons most people end up in the water include drink or drug related incidents and suicide, so training also included advice on how to tackle someone threatening to jump into the river.

Alexa Kersting-Woods, leisure property manager at MBC, said: "This was really worthwhile training and particularly poignant for the security team here at Lockmeadow as one of our guards has been involved in the rescue of three people from the river just in the last year."