COASTGUARDS are urging parents to keep a watchful eye on their children on the beach following three seafront search operations on Bank Holiday Monday alone.

A missing six-year-old girl sparked a 2.30pm search involving Southbourne coastguard rescue team and Poole Bay RNLI lifeguards. The child was found a short time later by lifeguards and safely reunited with her anxious parents.

Less than an hour later the rescue team was alerted once again following fears for a missing 13-year-old girl who had disappeared during a family outing to the beach at Bournemouth.

The teenager was found safe and well and returned to her relieved parents.

A seven-year-old boy was the subject of the third search at 4.49pm involving Southbourne coastguard rescue team.

Lifeguards quickly found the boy and reunited him with his family.

Portland coastguard spokesman Roger Hoare told the Echo: "The beach was extremely busy on Monday with lots of families making the most of the fine weather.

"Because of the crowded conditions it was quite easy to lose sight of young children.

"You just had to turn your back for a few seconds, when perhaps they had gone to the ice-cream kiosk, and they were gone.

"Between the lifeguards and coastguards they managed to find the three lost children very quickly.

"But while they were being deployed to search for the missing youngsters, they could have been involved in other incidents."

He added: "Parents should ensure they keep an eye on their children at all times, particularly when the beach is so busy."