THE family of a tragic 18-year-old are pleading with youngsters to stay safe when drunk near the water this Christmas.

Louis Harris, from Dorchester, went missing in February during a night out in Weymouth.

A huge search was launched in a bid to find the former Thomas Hardye School student.

But sadly, it was to end in tragedy, when Louis' body was found in Weymouth harbour four weeks later.

An inquest in to Louis death is yet to take place. But although they can't be sure what happened, his family are clear about one thing– they don't want the same fate for anybody else.

Holly and Graham Harris, Louis' parents, are throwing their support behind a campaign to get people thinking of the dangers when they're intoxicated near water.

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) says alcohol may make you more confident– but it also makes you less co-ordinated. And this could spell disaster if you end up in the water.

It launched the Drink and Down Campaign this week, after it was revealed that 20 per cent of accidental drowning victims last year had alcohol in their bloodstream.

Backing the campaign, Louis' mum Holly said: “Since losing Louis, we have been horrified to discover just how many other young adults have died in similar, tragic, circumstances and it has moved me to want to do something about it.

"When intoxicated, people are in a highly vulnerable state, many young adults finding out the limits of their alcohol tolerance, and I want to warn people of the dangers. If people prepare well before they go out and plan how to get home safely before their judgement is affected, it may avoid things like this happening in the first place.

“We still don’t know exactly what happened to Louis but if I can raise awareness and support the Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, it may stop another family having to experience this terrible journey.”

The RLSS says its warning applies in particular to towns like Weymouth, where the majority bars, pubs and clubs are either along the Esplanade, or on the harbourside.

Louis' parents are hoping to get the message across to local youngsters who may be going out in the town this Christmas, by giving water safety and drowning prevention sessions at Thomas Hardye School.

They will also be talking to students at Louis' university, Bath Spa, in a city with lots of waterways.

Between 2012-14 an average of 38 per cent of 18 to 21-year-old accidental drowning victims had alcohol in their bloodstream.

In 2015 this increased to 67 per cent.

RLSS UK’s chief executive, Di Steer, said: “We would like to thank Louis’ family for supporting our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign.

“People die each year after entering the water with alcohol in their bloodstreams, either deliberately or completely by accident.

“Drinking near water can be dangerous and a deadly cocktail. Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water.

“At RLSS UK we work hard to inform and educate people of the dangers and advise the public to never go into water when you have been drinking and always take care and be aware if you are near water.

“When walking home from a night out, avoid routes that are alongside water, particularly in the darkness, and always stay with and look out for your friends.

“We are proud that more organisations than ever are backing such an important campaign and particularly thank Holly and Graham who are brave enough to share their story to possibly save the lives of others.”