Two more beaches on Cornwall's north coast are to have lifeguard cover from this weekend.

Portreath and Chapel Porth at St Agnes are among nine further beaches in Cornwall where RNLI lifeguards are returning following the coronavirus pandemic.

They join the 15 beaches in the county where lifeguards are already now back in place.

The RNLI is hoping to be on around 65 beaches in the south west by early July - 72 per cent of the usual number of beaches that would be patrolled.

RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said: "We are now confident we can provide a more comprehensive lifeguard service this summer safely, despite the continuing challenges created by the pandemic.

"The first few weeks having lifeguards back on beaches has helped us properly test the new ways of operating and reassured everyone that we can accelerate and expand our plans."

In Cornwall there are currently lifeguards on Constantine, Fistral, Gwithian, Hayle Towans, Mawgan Porth, Perranporth, Poldhu, Porthmeor, Porthtowan, Polzeath, Praa Sands, Sennen, Summerleaze, Watergate Bay, and Widemouth.

As of this Saturday, lifeguard patrols will also start at Tregonhawke, Sharrow, Portreath, Chapel Porth, Holywell Bay, Treyarnon, Harlyn, Trebarwith, and Crooklets in Cornwall.

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The RNLI is continuing to talk to its 55 partner local authorities and beach owners about which additional beaches might be lifeguarded this summer, with a view to matching this to the proposed early July lifting of restrictions on the tourism and hospitality industries.

Mr Dowie added: "With schools closed and restrictions on foreign travel, we know that lots of people will be heading to UK beaches – this could be the busiest summer ever for both our lifeguards and our lifeboat crews.

"I’m very grateful to all those lifeguards who have already started their patrols or are now preparing to get back on the beach – they know this will be a challenging summer and are doing a brilliant job helping to keep the public safe during this pandemic.

"We must all continue to be aware that the risks from the pandemic have not gone away, but if people work with us and the other emergency services by following social distancing and other Government guidance relevant to their home country, we hope to be able to continue to provide lifeguard services this season.

"We’d like to thank all our partners – from Her Majesty’s Coastguard, to local councils and landowners – who are also working hard to help us patrol as many beaches as possible."

Guy Botterill, area lifesaving manager in west Cornwall, went on to say: "As we start to roll out a more comprehensive RNLI lifeguard service across west Cornwall, I want to acknowledge the lifesaving activities and actions of the many volunteer Surf Lifesaving Clubs, surf schools, community groups, lifeboat crews and individuals who undoubtedly saved lives around our coastline.

"Whatever role you played in this, you have been a real inspiration to us all, thank you.

"As an RNLI team we very much look forward to working with you to deliver our lifeguard service and water safety plans for west Cornwall."

New measures to deal with coronavirus mean the RNLI lifeguard service will look a little different this year.

Lifeguards will wear PPE like ambulance crews in some situations. New protocols for all first responders mean the lifeguards may not deal with some minor first aid cases but will support people to treat themselves.

They will also try to keep socially distant from beach goers, and may need to adopt different patrol methods at times, such as not using the red and yellow flags and asking people to keep apart but close to shore, to help keep people safe while maintaining social distancing.