RNLI lifeguards take to Dorset beaches

RNLI lifeguards saved seven lives in Dorset in 2011

Lifeguard cover has begun on beaches across Dorset as the peak season for RNLI lifeguards gets under way.

The patrols on 21 beaches include Lyme Regis, West Bay, Poole Bay and Christchurch.

Barry Heathfield, RNLI divisional lifeguard manager for Dorset, said thousands of people were expected whatever the weather.

The charity has also launched a <link> <caption>beach finder mobile app</caption> <url href="http://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/getvideo.aspx?vid=jlwjbR4O" platform="highweb"/> </link> which can locate the nearest "safe" beach.

Ross Macleod, RNLI coastal safety programmes manager, said: "It makes finding a lifeguarded beach extremely easy and convenient."

RNLI lifeguards attended 2,150 incidents and assisted 2,246 people in Dorset in 2011.