Lifeguards will be patrolling some of Cornwall most popular beaches this Easter holiday, including Praa Sands.

Although fulltime RNLI cover does not usually begin until closer to the summer, due to the expected influx of visitors and the schools being off, there will be cover at Praa from this Saturday through to Monday, April 17 and again over the weekend of April 22 and 23.

Steve Instance, RNLI community safety partner, said: "The RNLI will always answer the call for help but we’re not just here to rescue those in difficulty, a huge part of our work is about encouraging people not to get into trouble in the first place.

"The RNLI will always answer the call for help but we’re not just here to rescue those in difficulty, a huge part of our work is about encouraging people not to get into trouble in the first place.

"As the Easter holidays approach, we’d like to remind people that despite it being spring, the conditions around the coast can still be challenging and should you go in the water intentionally or unintentionally, the sea is extremely cold at this time of year making cold water shock a real danger."

He urged people to check the weather and tide conditions before going to sea, make sure their equipment was in working order and carry a means of calling for help should something go wrong.

Other beaches in the county that will be patrolled over the holidays are Sennen, Porthmeor, Gwithian, Porthtowan, Perranporth, Watergate Bay, Harlyn, Polzeath, Widemouth and Summerleaze, as well as Hayle Towans, Towan and Constantine Bay just over the four-day Easter weekend.

Fistral at Newquay will have full time lifeguard from Saturday until the end of the season.