LIFEGUARDS will return to Lyme Regis beach this weekend, ready for the summer season.
Lyme Regis is one of 19 beaches across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall which will benefit from lifeguard cover from this weekend, bring the total number of beaches to over 90.
RNLI lifeguards will patrol daily between 10am and 6pm, providing casualty care, water rescue, education about possible dangers, and helping to keep people safe while at the coast.
The lifeguard station is already in place on Front Beach in Lyme Regis and the service will run until early-September, funded by Lyme Regis Town Council.
The roll out of the lifeguard service by the RNLU reflects the increase in beach users as we move into the height of summer.
Steve Instance, the RNLI’s water safety lead for the South West said: “With the addition of another 19 RNLI lifeguarded beaches, bringing the total to over 90, it gives people in the South West a wide range of options to always choose a lifeguarded beach.
“If you’re heading in the water always swim between the red and yellow flags. The area between the flags is actively patrolled by the lifeguards and is the safest for swimming and body-boarding.
“On a busy summer day with a lot of people on the beach and in the water at any one time, going between the flags where the lifeguards can see you gives you the best chance of staying safe.
“It also means if you do get in to trouble for whatever reason, the lifeguards will be able to spot you quickly and come to your aid.”
If you spot anyone in danger in the water alert the lifeguards or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
A full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches can be found here: rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches