Devon and Cornwall beach lifeguards expect busy weekend

Lifeguards will patrol the beaches until the end of October

Lifeguards at beaches in Devon and Cornwall have said they expect a busy weekend because of recent good weather.

Newquay lifeguard manager Paul Benney said Fistral beach was "rammed with surfers" earlier in the week, and that could continue.

High evening tides could increase the risk of people being cut off at the end of the day, the RNLI added.

Nine beaches in Cornwall and three in Devon will have weekend patrols, which will continue until the end of October.

'Taking full advantage'

Lifeguards are providing cover on Praa Sands, Porthmeor, Gwithian, Porthtowan, Perranporth, Watergate, Polzeath and Widemouth in Cornwall as part of patrols being carried out at weekends in October and over the October school half-term.

Croyde, Woolacombe and Bantham in Devon have similar patrols.

Fistral beach has daily patrols until 30 October.

Good surf conditions attracted hundreds of people to Fistral on Thursday, Mr Benney said.

He said: "Everyone has been watching the conditions and taking full advantage.

"Despite the surf predicted to drop off over the weekend, we're still expecting people to be preparing to head to the beach on Saturday and Sunday to make the most of this spell of late season sunshine.

"The spring tides will be falling but they will still be bigger than usual and the high evening tides will increase the risk of people being cut off at the end of the day.

"We'd urge people to check the tide times and remain cautious."