LINWOOD mum Sharron Drennan knows all about the unbearable agony of losing a child.

She was left devastated when her 13-year-old son William McNally died last June after getting into difficulty in the River Gryfe.

After her tragic loss, 49-year-old Sharron called for a national effort to help prevent other families suffering similar heartache.

Now she has welcomed a new Water Safety Action Plan unveiled by the Scottish Government.

It will see schoolkids across the country being given water safety lessons, with warning signs around the likes of rivers and reservoirs also being improved.

Sharron told our sister title The Gazette: “I welcome this with open arms. If it saves lives and promotes safety, I am all for it.

“We need to make people – particularly children – aware of the dangers of water, particularly at this time of year.”

Linwood High pupil William was swimming with friends at a section of the river known locally as the Clay Pitts, near Auchans Farm, Houston, when their fun day out took a tragic turn.

He was pulled from the water and rushed to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children in a critical condition but died three days later.

William, described as “kind and gentle” by friends and family, was laid to rest at Broomward Cemetery, Elderslie, on June 18.

His parents decided to donate his organs in the hope they would save the life of another child.

In the nine months since William’s death, Sharron has been active in improving safety at the spot where he got into trouble.

Four lifebelts have now been installed on poles along the riverbank.

As well as improving signage at rivers, lochs and reservoirs and making sure school pupils are taught about water safety, the new action plan will see more swimming lessons being offered to the public through their local council.

There are also plans to train more people on how to use rescue equipment and there will be a review of 999 procedures for tackling water accidents.

Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said: “The Scottish Government takes water safety very seriously and this action plan includes a range of key steps agreed to further mitigate the risks.”