Lifeboat men trained bar staff in water safety as part of a raft of measures following the death of a student who jumped in the Thames.

Kingston University law student Niall Pawsey, 20, drowned after swimming out from the Kingston Mill where he had been drinking the day before the royal wedding.

Staff from the Slug and Lettuce, where Mr Pawsey worked part time, were among 40 staff, street pastors and councillors who attended the evening training session on Tuesday, June 21.

Volunteers from Totalcourses taught basic lifeguarding skills, including water-related first aid and how to assess river risks, while staff at the Teddington lifeboat station showed how they could speed their responses during an incident.

Business group KingstonFirst has bought a number of rope rescue aids to be based permanently at riverside venues.

Bars and restaurants will also receive posters and beer mats warning customers about the dangers of entering the river.

Agron Nikaj, manager of McClusky’s nightclub, said a similar event was held three years ago, but following Mr Pawsey’s death they brought forward future training because many staff had moved on since then.

He said: “We are trying to raise awareness and obviously the public should be aware of the dangers that lie in the river.

“It feels like it’s not that far to swim to the other side, but it’s so cold your muscles will stop working and the currents will take you away.”

Chris Dingle, president-elect of Kingston University Students’ Union, knew Mr Pawsey and has lobbied Edward Davey MP and councillors for action to prevent another tragedy.

He said: “Overall, the response has been positive. I think the important aspects have been covered and the RNLI and council are on it.

“The only key aspect that has not been got around to yet is putting up warning signs with coastguard location codes.”