Night river patrols are set to return later this year as part of a campaign to prevent drowning deaths.

The Kent Search and Rescue charity successfully launched the scheme last December after several young men lost their lives following nights out.

Recent tragedies have included the deaths of Pat Lamb, Ben Savage and Kieron Knowlden who all tragically fell into the River Medway.

With more people traditionally out drinking alcohol during the festive period, Kent Search and Rescue is keen to raise awareness of the dangers and encourage groups to stick together.

Volunteers have now begun training ahead of the return of its Christmas campaign, during which it will operate two rescue boats on the River Medway on Friday and Saturday nights in December.

The charity has more than 100 operational members across the county, which are split into two teams, operating from around 9pm until as late as 4am.

In each of these, it has a boat on the water and a number of bikes on the towpath which include life-saving equipment and a medical car.

Operations Officer Stewart Baird said: “This is an extension of what we did last year, which was very successful and well-received by the public - all of our teams engaged with all the revellers that were out every night.

“We didn’t have a single death in December as a result of alcohol-related drowning for the first time ever.

“It’s really just about getting the message across to look after your mates, particularly among young adult males that falling in the water is a big cause of death.”

Further training takes place over the coming weeks before the patrols launch in December.

Snodland schoolboy Ben Savage, 18, had been on a night out at the Tap ‘n’ Tin in Chatham on December 6, 2016, when he stumbled into the river.

Kieron Knowlden, 25, fell in at Tonbridge after drinking in Mojo’s bar on February 28, 2015.

The previous year, 28-year-old Pat Lamb had been enjoying a night out in Maidstone during the run-up to Christmas, when he became separated from his friends.

His body was found in early 2015.

More recently, Alan Gulsen, 19, was found face down in the river near St Peter’s Wharf by a dog walker in April.

An inquest was unable to explain what happened in the run up to his death.