Brand new lights have been installed in Linwood to mark the memory of a local boy who lost his life in an accident at a river.

William McNally, who was 13 at the time of the incident, was swimming with friends at a section of the River Gryfe known as the Clay Pitts, in Houston, on June 2, 2021, when he got into difficulties.

Now, after securing funding to remember the young teen's life, LED lighting has been installed on the Tweedie Hall in Linwood - thanks to Councillor Robert Innes.

READ NEXT: William McNally’s family pay tribute on anniversary of river tragedy

The Gazette:

Last year Cllr Innes vowed to ‘light up Linwood’ in memory of the local schoolboy.

The new lights will be officially switched on for the first time this summer by Provost Lorraine Cameron alongside William's family to highlight World Drowning Prevention Day.

Sharron Drennan, William's mum, said: "I am really pleased to see that Linwood will be lit up this year for World Drowning Prevention Day.

"It is a pleasure for our family to have been asked by the Provost to switch on the lights alongside her for the very first time for our community. 

"Thank you to everyone who has made this possible for our town, but especially Cllr Innes for pursuing this for us all in Linwood in the first place.

“William is very much missed by all of us every single day.

"The summer months are fast approaching us now and young people will be down enjoying the good weather and jumping in our rivers.

"Please be aware of the dangers they pose if you are going in the river and please stay away from any potentially unsafe areas along our rivers.”

READ NEXT: New memorial bench will honour much-loved schoolboy William

The new lighting structure means that Linwood will now be able to mark events around the year such as Christmas, Remembrance Day and Pride with a colourful lighting display in a similar fashion to the other towns around Renfrewshire.

In recent years Renfrewshire Council have lit up landmarks across Renfrewshire in blue to recognise World Drowning Prevention Day. Linwood has been unable to take part until now. 

Cllr Robert Innes said:  “I am extremely glad we have gotten to this point with the LED lights now in place at the Tweedie Hall.

"Linwood will now be able to commemorate important days and events throughout the year, along with the other towns in Renfrewshire.

“This was especially important to me to get this lighting project done as the inspiration for it had come from such a special place.

"The activism that William's family have shown in highlighting water safety on our rivers is truly inspirational and it inspired me to pursue these lights for them and everyone in Linwood.”