Ahead of the peak summer season, additional beaches across Dorset will have lifeguard cover.

Lyme Regis will see be covered from this Saturday until Sunday 4 September between 10am and 6pm.

Professionally trained in casualty care, lifesaving techniques in and out of the water and water and land craft operations, the main role of a lifeguard is to prevent incidents occurring and to educate, inform and advise the public about possible dangers, whilst keeping everyone safe and able to enjoy their time at the coast.

The beaches in Dorset that will begin daily lifeguard patrols from 10am – 6pm are;

Lyme Regis (Cobb) and Greenhill (Weymouth).

Steve Instance, the RNLI’s water safety lead for the south west, says it is always best to choose a lifeguarded beach.

"If you’re heading in the water, always swim between the red and yellow flags and speak to the local lifeguards for safety advice. The area between the flags is actively patrolled by the lifeguards and is the safest for swimming and body-boarding," he said.

"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, the lifeguards will be able to spot you quickly and come to your aid."