RNLI lifeguards will be back at their post on Whitesands beach between 10am-6pm today (Saturday, April 13).

The charity urges the public to respect the water as they enjoy the coast this Easter break by visiting a lifeguarded beach. RNLI lifeguards will be at Whitesands every day between 10am-6pm over the school Easter holidays.

The lifeguards will then provide the safety service at the beach every weekend in May until they start the full service (daily patrols) from the end of May for the summer season.

Stuart Penfold RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor reminds people how to stay safe on the beach over the Easter holidays.

He said: “With the late Easter holidays and the nice weather, the lifeguard team are expecting lots of people to visit the beach this weekend. When enjoying the beach please remember to respect the water.

“We advise people to bathe between the red and yellow flags as this is the area which is closely monitored by the lifeguards throughout the day.

“If you find yourself or anyone else in trouble please raise your hand and call for help. It’s very important that you don’t try and attempt the rescue yourself – as hard as this can be, we don’t want to risk you getting into trouble too. If you see someone in trouble out on the coast outside of the lifeguarding hours phone 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

For more information on how to stay safe on the coast this summer visit rnli.org.uk.