Lifeguards will stop patrolling some South West beaches from today

People are being urged by the charity to take extra care and be responsible when visiting beaches in the region.

Lifeguards will remain on more than 50 beaches this month though, which is more than in previous years.

South West beaches closing on Sunday 6 September:

· Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset)

· Lyme Regis (Dorset)

· Exmouth (Devon)

· West Bay (Dorset)

· Dawlish Warren (Devon)

· Teignmouth North (Devon)

· Blackpool Sands (Devon)

· Millrock - part of Woolacombe beach (Devon)

· Exmouth (Devon)

Tom Mansell, Regional Lifesaving Lead, said: "It has been an extremely busy summer for RNLI lifeguards with huge numbers of people visiting beaches in the South West. Our lifeguards have worked really hard and have done a fantastic job of keeping people safe at the beach whilst working during a pandemic. They deserve great credit for the commitment and dedication they have shown.

"We know many people are still on furlough and not holidaying abroad, so it’s likely more people than usual will be visiting the coast in September and October.

"If you’re visiting the beach, please head to a lifeguarded one if possible, take note of the safety signage at the entrance, go with a friend or tell someone on the shore where you’re going, and always be aware of the conditions and your own capabilities in the water."

• RNLI
• lifeguards
• rnli devon
• rnli somerset