RNLI beach lifeguards extend Summerleaze cover

Lifeguards will patrol every weekend in October and throughout the half-term school holiday until 4 November

Lifeguard cover at a beach in Cornwall is to be extended, the RNLI has said.

The charity said beach lifeguards would continue to patrol Summerleaze beach in Bude at the weekends until 4 November.

Cover will also be provided by volunteer patrols from the RNLI and Bude Surf Life Saving Club during the school October half-term break.

Earlier this month a woman drowned at nearby Northcott Mouth beach one day after the RNLI stopped its summer lifeguard cover.

It is the first time lifeguard cover has been extended at Summerleaze, which the RNLI said had been made possible by lifeguards volunteering some of their time.

Shared 'ideals'

RNLI lifeguard manager Phil Hill said having cover during what can be a busy month would be an asset for the town.

"Widemouth beach already has extended season cover and it was such a success last year we were very keen to try and expand on it," he said.

"Thanks to the generosity of the RNLI and surf club lifeguards who will be volunteering their time, this is now possible."

Adrian Parsons, from Bude Surf Life Saving Club, said the initiative would not only benefit beach users, but would show the value of the organisations working together.

"We both have the same ideals and views on beach and sea safety and therefore compliment each other well," he said.