25/09/2007 03:55:30
Lifeguards in Devon and Cornwall are extending their season into October, reports BBC News.
The decision to provide a longer season at four beaches comes after warm weather and big swells sustained visitor numbers into the late summer last year.
Lifeboat charity RNLI, which provides lifeguards at beaches throughout the east and south west of England, says that last year they saved over 60 lives and assisted more than 10,000 people.
Dickon Berriman, RNLI lifeguard supervisor for north Devon told the BBC: "We are seeing more and more people in the water later and later in the season.
"Having had the summer to heat up, the sea is actually at its warmest in October," he added.
The lifeguards will be on duty during October weekends and the school half-term at Perranporth in Cornwall, and at Croyde, Woolacombe and Bantham in Devon.
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