Lifeguards 'unable to protect beach' after eviction

Blyth Lifeguard and Swimming Club has left its former home at the Dave Stephens Centre

Lifeguards have said a beach could be unmanned this summer after their club was evicted from its base.

Blyth Lifeguard and Swimming Club (BLSC) said its tenancy at the Dave Stephens Centre had been terminated after it failed to reach a rent agreement with its new owner.

Lifeguard captain Michele Weedy said she felt "emotional" leaving the base that had been home to the club for 10 years.

Blyth Valley Enterprise Limited (BVEL) said it was "seeking other lifeguarding organisations to help maintain some form of provision" at Blyth Beach.

Northumberland County Council said it planned to meet club members and support them to find a new base.

Ms Weedy said: "I've spent 42 years of my life saving lives and helping to educate and train the next generations of nippers, rookies and graduates into lifeguards, as well as take part in countless rescues and interventions.

The Dave Stephens Centre had been home to the club for 10 years

"[It was] a hard and very emotional day to be the last person out of the building as I said a goodbye.

"We couldn’t reach an agreement with BVEL as we rely on donations, we could remain in place at the centre for a year but we would have to pay rent the next and we simply can’t afford it.”

The Conservative-led council said the Dave Stephens Centre had been operating at a loss for years.

Blyth Valley Enterprise Limited says it is "seeking other lifeguarding organisations to help maintain some form of provision" at the beach

It said it was taken over by BVEL as part of a community transfer to manage "financial liabilities".

A joint statement from the council and BVEL said attempts to "compromise and reach a resolution" with the club had failed.

The statement added: "The new occupier was willing to compromise and earlier this month all parties met to try and progress a shared usage agreement.

"However, no compromise could be reached that would permit BLSC to continue to occupy the centre."

Ms Weedy said she feared for the safety of bathers while the beach was unmanned.

"Blyth has strong rip currents which can be quite dangerous and I plead with parents to keep an eye on your children this summer," she added.

"If anyone does get into difficulty call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”