Lifeguard patrols to return Devon and Cornwall beaches

Lifeguards will return to beaches in Devon and Cornwall this summer with the RNLI providing the same cover as in previous years.

A shortage of lifeguards during the first coronavirus lockdown meant changes to patrols.

The RNLI faced calls to put more staff on duty after several sea rescues, including two deaths in Cornwall.

Lifeguards will be on duty across 22 beaches from 2 April, with more cover coming later, the RNLI said.

By peak school summer holiday time 87 beaches across the region will be patrolled, it said.

The charity paused its lifeguard programme in March last year amid measures to control the spread of coronavirus.

In May it confirmed lifeguards would not be at its usual 240 UK sites.

Among the beaches which will be covered from 2 April are Sennen, Porthmeor and Gwithian in Cornwall, and Bantham, Woolacombe and Exmouth in Devon.

The "intensive" two-week induction for new lifeguards starts on Monday - 12 days before cover is set to begin.

Lifeguard Kat Wood said this year's training would be outdoors because coronavirus restrictions banned indoor pool sessions.

She said: "This afternoon the plan is to go over to Porthmeor - there's a nice small wave there today - and we'll practice our board and tube rescues, all of our first aid, and our signal flags."