LIFEGUARDS have been preparing for what they expect to be another busy summer on Dorset beaches.

As it stands Britons are not allowed to leave the country unless their travel comes under a limited list of exemptions.

The earliest date people from England, Scotland and Wales will be able to holiday abroad is May 17 - but with the current surge in overseas coronavirus cases, there is still uncertainty over whether summer holidays abroad will be allowed.

All of this means, that as domestic travel restrictions lift, UK 'staycations' are likely to become very popular.

Last summer huge crowds flocked to Dorset's beaches, with a 'major incident' declared in Bournemouth because of the numbers.

So the RNLI has been working with partners behind the scenes 'through the challenges of lockdown' to 'recruit, train and prepare their lifeguards'.

The charity says it will deliver its usual lifeguard service across the UK and Channel Islands this year in its standard phased approach.

The first set of beaches, which include beaches in the conurbation will go on service at the start of the Easter holidays.

Robbie Warrington, RNLI Head of Lifeguard Services, said: "RNLI lifeguards are at the forefront of the charity’s lifesaving work, offering preventative safety advice to visitors and rescuing those in difficulty in the water.

"Not only do they receive the best training but the best equipment too, so they are able to deal with any emergency situation as professional first responders.

"Each year the RNLI works in partnership with local authorities and landowners to set up and roll out the lifeguard service, which is complex in normal times even without the challenges of doing so during a pandemic.

"However, we have been here before, and with the added benefit of being able to plan ahead, we have developed contingencies should things change.

"The protocols and measures introduced last year because of coronavirus will continue.

"We are working with local authorities and landowners, who ask us to provide a lifeguard service on their beaches, to make sure the environment for lifeguards to return to is safe.

"We will continue to monitor the risk to our people and the public in relation to the pandemic."

WHICH beaches in the Bournemouth conurbation will have lifeguards and when will they patrol?

Boscombe East Beach: April 2 to September 26, from 10am-6pm.

Boscombe West Beach: May 29 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

Bournemouth East Cliff Beach: April 2 to September 26, from 10am-6pm.

Bournemouth West Cliff Beach: April 2 to September 26, from 10am-6pm.

Branksome Chine Beach: May 29 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

Canford Cliffs Beach: July 10 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

Durley Chine Beach: May 29 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

East Cliff Beach: July 10 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

Southbourne Beach: May 29 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

Shore Road Beach: May 29 to September 5, from 10am-6pm.

Sandbanks Beach: April 2 to September 26, from 10am-6pm.