The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is encouraging 'beachwise' behaviour for those intending on using the water by making sure they visit a beach manned by lifeguards and swim between the yellow and red flags at all times.

Mike Russell, coxswain of Whitby Lifeboat, said: "With the heatwave that's forecast for this week, it's likely the beaches will be very busy.

"Our key advice for people planning a trip to the beach, especially those planning to go in the water, is to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, where the lifeguards can see you.

"We want people to have fun at the beach, but to make sure they stay safe while they're enjoying themselves.

"Despite the poor summer weather last year, RNLI lifeguards responded to more than 9,500 incidents and helped more than 11,000 people on some of the UK's busiest beaches, and there's every chance they will be busier this year.

"You're 500 times less likely to drown on a lifeguarded beach – we hope people will bear this in mind when deciding which beach to visit."

The spokesman also advised people to make sure they protect themselves from the sun with help from the slogon SLIP, SLAP, SLOP – slip on a T-Shirt, slap on a hat and slop on some suncream.

People also need to drink plenty of fluid which is vital as the sun and wind can easily dehydrate them.

The RNLI's beach safety guide, On The Beach, is packed full of safety tips and is available free-of-charge from beachsafety@rnli.org.uk or by calling (0800) 3280600.