Safety scheme reunites 130 people lost at seaside

The scheme helps reunite people who become lost during trips to the seaside

About 130 people who became lost at the seaside over the summer were reunited thanks to a council safety scheme.

The LV= KidZone initiative, run by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, took place from 1 July to 1 September.

Wristbands with a parent or guardian's contact details and the group's location were given to 36,000 children and vulnerable people to help them get found easily.

Councillor Richard Herrett said this helped those who "disappeared from sight quickly and unexpectedly", allowing them to be found in an average of seven minutes.

"Losing someone like this can obviously be very distressing, and this scheme plays an essential part in keeping our beaches safe and providing peace of mind to our community and visitors," he said.

Samantha Preece, chief brand and communications officer at LV=, said the initiative, which also ran last summer, was important in keeping people "safe on our local beaches".

"We're proud to support the scheme and are grateful to all of the LV= KidZone team, RNLI lifeguards and the BCP seafront team who are involved in its success," she said.

Ed Stevens, RNLI regional lifeguard lead, said despite the scheme now ending, lifeguards would still be on beaches at Sandbanks, Bournemouth East and Boscombe East to offer advice and first aid until 28 September.