RNLI lifeguards will return to safety duty on two Pembrokeshire beaches over Easter as the charity urges visitors to take care at the seaside.

Lifeguards have completed all their training and will be back on Tenby South Beach and Whitesands Beach over the holiday period ready to offer safety advice and assistance to people venturing to the coast.

Whitesands Beach in St. Davids, which saw its season extended to cover the entire Easter school holidays for the first time last year, will again have lifeguards on duty for the whole Easter fortnight, between 10 am and 6 pm each day.

Tenby South Beach will have a safety service provided for the four days of the bank holiday Easter weekend between Friday and Monday, April 14 - 17.

Rob Steele, RNLI Lifeguard supervisor, said: “It’s always an exciting time of year when our lifeguards begin their safety service and our team are trained and ready to go.

“It’s great that so many people make the most of the better weather to visit the coast over Easter, but we urge people to respect the water and visit a lifeguarded beach, where there are trained professionals to help keep you and your group safe.

“Even though the weather is warming up, the water temperature at this time of year remains very cold, so anyone thinking of venturing into the water should remember to wear a good wetsuit and be aware of the dangers of cold water shock.

“Conditions can also be changeable, so please bring appropriate clothing and be ready for all weathers and if you see someone in trouble in the water, don’t attempt to rescue them yourself, as you could also be putting yourself in more danger. Alert lifeguards if you are on a lifeguarded beach or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

• In total, RNLI lifeguards will patrol 38 beaches across Wales in 2017. Figures released last week showed lifeguards across the country responded to 1,271 incidents and rescued or assisted 1,436 people in 2016.