DEATH WISH

Despite repeated alerts about the dangers of walking on frozen lakes, young and old people are still risking their lives by walking far out onto water which hasn't frozen over for decades.

People, including children with parents looking on, have been spotted walking, running and cycling across the wide expanses of ice on Loughbrickland Lake, Corbet Lough and Drumlough at Rathfriland.

"People have died in England doing the exact same thing but yet we still have people in the district walking across frozen lakes," said one local man. "Do these people have no regard for their own safety or indeed for the safety of the unlucky member of the emergency services sent to pull them from the freezing water?"

Police have re-issued warnings in light of this week's thaw which presents an even bigger danger to those who continue to take life-threatening risks by venturing onto the ice.

For a full round-up of how the big freeze gripped the district turn to pages seven, eight and nine of this week's Leader - on sale now.