LIFEGUARDS will return to a Lyme Regis beach from this weekend.

Cobb Gate Beach is one of 19 beaches across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall that will have lifeguard cover from this weekend.

This brings the number of patrolled beaches in the South West up to more than 90 as the RNLI continues the planned roll out of its lifeguard service.

Steve Instance, RNLI’s Water Safety Lead for the South West said: "With the addition of another 19 RNLI lifeguarded beaches, bringing the total to over 90, it gives people in the South West a wide range of options to always choose a lifeguarded beach. If you’re heading in the water always swim between the red and yellow flags. The area between the flags is actively patrolled by the lifeguards and is the safest for swimming and body-boarding."

RNLI lifeguards patrol daily between the hours of 10am and 6pm. They are professionally trained in casualty care and water rescue techniques. The role of an RNLI lifeguard is to educate and inform the public about possible dangers, whilst keeping everyone safe and able to enjoy their time at the coast.