SWANAGE'S main beach will be covered by RNLI lifeguard patrols for the first time this summer.

The fully-trained lifeguards will start patrolling the beach this weekend in a bid to bolster visitor confidence and safety.

RNLI lifeguard manager for Weymouth and West Dorset, Kester Sheppard, said: "I am really pleased we will be able to provide a lifeguard service in Swanage and I am looking forward to working alongside the lifeboat crew in the town."

Last month Swanage took delivery of its new state-of-the-art £1.5million Shannon Class water jet-propelled all-weather lifeboat.

The town's new lifeboat station, one of the maritime charity's largest projects, should be completed later this year.

Kester said: "Whilst lifeguards will be there to help anyone, should the worst happen on the beach or in the water, we are a friendly bunch and would encourage anyone to come and have a chat with us.

"We can show them the safest place to swim or advise of any risks on the beach to ensure visitors have the safest time possible at the beach."

Swanage is just one of the new beaches the RNLI will be patrolling this summer, taking the number of RNLI beaches to 237 - the same number of lifeguarded beaches as there are lifeboat stations.

Last year the charity's lifeguards responded to nearly 16,000 incidents, helping 18,181 people and saving 94 lives.

An RNLI spokesman explained: "The lifeguards have finished their training and, even though they are highly trained to respond to the most challenging of rescues and first aid, 95 per cent of their work is preventative.

"They aim to help visitors to the beach stay out of trouble before they even come close to any danger."