Gravesend RNLI are warning residents of the dangers of taking the online ice bucket challenge too far.

The RNLI are supporting a campaign by Kent Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) urging nominees to avoid jumping into open water to out-do their friends.

A spokesman for Kent RLSS said: "Many people are taking part in the "Ice Bucket Challenge" which in its self is good clean harmless fun and all in a good cause.

"However many people are now trying to outdo each other and are taking unnecessary risks, which as It has been reported in the press, has resulted in several Deaths.

"Jumping into the cold water of Rivers and Quarries rather than tipping it over yourself could prove fatal."

The challenge, sometimes called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, sees people filmed having buckets of iced water thrown over them to raise awareness of Motor Neuron Disease before nominating three other people to do the same.