PEOPLE have been warned to stay out of the sea on Friday due to a large swell being forecast.

Although the easing of lockdown restrictions means that the public is now allowed to partake in water-based activities once more, the RNLI and Coastguard have already warned that extreme caution should be taken to reduce the strain on emergency services at a time where lifeguard cover is not in place as normal.

On Friday, a large swell is forecast for the north coast.

Steve Instance, RNLI lead for Water Safety in the south west, said: "This swell forecast is very worrying for north coast of Devon and Cornwall.

"A normal morning surf will build to over 15 feet in a couple of hours.

"Combined with incoming spring tide and no lifeguards, this could be a recipe for disaster.

"Keep out of the water on Friday afternoon please."