A beach lifeguard service provided by Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat is returning this weekend for the 2022 summer season.

This year, it is operating from Saturday 28 May to cover the school summer half-term holiday (which is e.g. 30 May-3 June for Sidmouth College).

Afterwards, it will be on patrol every weekend until the school summer holidays. From then, it will patrol the beach seven days a week until the beginning of September.

New faces

Five lifeguards from last year are returning alongside four new recruits.

Lifeguard Project Manager Andrew Dean said: "All of them are local young people, who are really looking forward to serving their community.

"Regardless of previous qualifications, all of this year's lifeguard team will complete Beach Lifeguard and Advanced First Aid courses, and carry out training exercises with other rescue services during the season."

This year, there will be a new lifeguard unit on the beach kitted out with first aid equipment, oxygen and a defibrillator. Members of the public are welcome to talk to the lifeguards for advice.