WITH the current hot weather forecast to continue over the coming week, the Malvern Hills Trust is reminding the public of the dangers of swimming in Gullet Quarry and of using barbecues in the hills and commons.

This weekend has seen some visitors to the Hills undertaking both activities, putting themselves and others at risk.

Members of the public have contacted both the Malvern Gazette and the trust with pictures of people in the water at the quarry and using a barbecue on the hills, both activities in breach of the trust’s bye-laws.

Duncan Bridges, the trust’s chief executive, said: “We thank the vast majority of visitors for being responsible and taking care in this hot, dry weather.

“However, despite advice and signage on the Hills and Commons, people are taking serious risks.”

This well-known beauty spot is visited by walkers and picnickers but on hot summer days people can be tempted to cool off in the water, despite the many signs that warn of the danger.

In the summer of 2013 two young men tragically drowned in the lake at the quarry off Castlemorton Common.

The two who died, within a week of each other, were 22-year-old Justas Juzenas from Ross-on-Wye and Russell O’Neill, aged 17, of Worcester. Three other people have died in the lake since 1995.

Later that year, the trust commissioned the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to produce a report on safety at the quarry.

The society’s report contained a number of recommendations for safety measures on site.

As a result, the trust erected fencing around the quarry, installed new warning signs and planted thorny vegetation to act as a barrier.

Since the current heatwave started, the trust’s wardens have been visiting the quarry regularly to warn people about the lake’s hazards.

Police and the fire service have also been paying visits to reinforce the warnings.

Earlier this summer a disposable barbecue was the likely cause of a fire on the western slopes of the Worcestershire Beacon.

Almost 100 fire service personnel battled the blaze, near the West of England Quarry.

Around five acres of grass and shrubbery were burnt in the blaze.

Barbecues are not permitted on the hills and commons at any time due to the risk they pose for potentially starting wildfires.

Disposable barbecues are a particular problem as they can be blown over by the wind, and, if placed directly on the ground, cause damage to the vegetation underneath.

The trust is e also asking visitors to properly extinguish cigarettes and not to release or light any Chinese or sky lanterns.

Wardens will continue to patrol the hills and commons seven days a week providing information and advice for visitors.