The family of a much-loved Alexandria schoolgirl who drowned in the River Leven last year has launched a petition in a bid to tighten water safety rules.

Jamie Gillies, the aunt of 12-year-old Ava Gray, started the petition after six people - four of them in Loch Lomond - drowned in Scottish waters over the weekend.

Ava died after getting into difficulty near Balloch Bridge on August 9, 2020.

Jamie now wants to see water markers put in place to highlight the danger zones and raise funds for life-saving equipment.

In a statement on the petition she said: "This is an indescribable heartache and more should be done to prevent more incidents like this.

"We would like to see improvements made around the most popular open water spaces, particularly where young teens and children visit regularly.

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"Too many children are losing their lives in our waters and changes need to be made."

To sign the petition click here