Dorset lifeguard summer patrols to start

RNLI lifeguards will patrol a total of 21 beaches in Dorset during the summer

RNLI lifeguards are to begin their summer patrols at beaches across Dorset.

Sites in Christchurch, Poole Bay, Weymouth and Lyme Regis will be manned from Saturday, the charity said.

The patrols, which will remain in place until September 4, bring the total number of lifeguarded beaches in the county to 21.

Lifeguard patrols began at the county's most popular beaches in Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth on 29 April.

Boscombe East, where the troubled artificial surf reef has been built, is covered by RNLI lifeguards all year round.

Patrol season dates are staggered to take into account the number of visitors.

Barry Heathfield, divisional lifeguard manager for Dorset, urged beachgoers to seek out the lifeguards to check local information such as tide times and any potential hazards to avoid.