TWO years to the day tragic Kilwinning teenager Reece Sweeney was swept to his death at sea, youngsters are being warned to play safe around water.

Reece, from Innerwood Road in Woodwynd, had been swimming with two friends in the River Deveron at Banff Bay in Aberdeenshire in June 2012.

But the trio got into trouble when they were engulfed by a giant wave and Reece was swept away.

The 16-year-old’s body was washed ashore the following day, leaving his parents and family devastated.

Reece’s grieving friend Stephanie McKendrick, then 17, told how she, Reece and another pal Tony Fraser had waded into the water by the mouth of the Deveron, when they were caught by a wave.

She said: “We went under. I was holding his hand but when I came up he was gone.” Stephanie said: “It was just a bit of fun – we never dreamt that it could end up like that.” Tragically Reece, who had recently moved to the area, never came home and today, on the second anniversary of his death, tributes were pouring in from those keen to remember him.

Reece’s heartbroken mum Michelle Sweeney wrote a touching tribute to her beloved son on a memorial Facebook page set up in his honour.

She said: “I miss you so much, so does your dad. No one will ever forget ur smile, your goofy laugh, but you cheered us up. See you soon my gorgeous boy xx love you always.” Reece’s sister, Carlie Harris wrote: “I miss u so much it’s harder to deal with the longer it is without u. I miss ur goofy smile n laugh. Reece I miss u so so much hope to see u again soon bro, love u and u r always in my heart mind n thoughts.” His younger brother Neilson Harris wrote: “Miss you bro, been two years since you past now. I’m always thinking of you. I’ve managed to get over that you don’t sleep in the same room as me, or play same computers, or do the same stuff but there’s one thing I can’t get over; why you never got to live your life. Why you went so young? I miss you, love you big bro.” On Tuesday, exactly two years on, Reece’s family held a memorial service at the breakers in the bay, where Reece went missing.

Bosses at Scottish Water issued a stern warning to youngsters thinking about playing near the sea, rivers or lochs this summer.

Mark Maclaren, one of Scottish Water’s regional communities team managers, said: “While it’s important that youngsters enjoy their school holidays and that people across Scotland take pleasure in the country’s beautiful lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it’s also vital that they stay safe.

“We are reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking people to act responsibly around watercourses.” Figures from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) show that in 2012, 371 people drowned accidentally across the UK, of which 43 included children and young people up to the age of 19.     Of the 371 drownings, the majority - 203 (55 per cent) - took place in inland waters including rivers, canals, lochs/lakes, streams, ponds and reservoirs.

If anyone would like more information they can contact the Scottish Water’s customer helpline on 0845 601 8855 or www.scottishwater.co.uk/takecare. For more information on RoSPA visit their website at www.rospa.com.