WIRRAL Council is to hand over responsibility for its seasonal lifeguard service to a national charity in the hope of giving extra peace of mind to beach users.

The authority has joined forces with the RNLI, who will now provide lifeguard patrols on four of the borough’s beaches.

The RNLI will take over the existing lifeguard service at West Kirby, Moreton, Harrison Drive and New Brighton beaches.

Apart from different coloured clothing worn by personnel, Wirral Council says the public will not notice a different, with the level of service staying the same.

The charity will start patrolling the beaches over the Easter school holidays from Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 19.

It will then operate weekend-only patrols until Saturday, May 23, when a seven-day-a-week service will commence and run through until Sunday, September 6.

The weekend-only service will resume from Saturday, September 12 until the season close on Sunday, September 27.

Matt Horton, RNLI senior lifeguard manager, said: “We’re delighted to have teamed up with the council to ensure that our charity’s lifeguards are on site during the busy spring and summer months to spot any potential dangers before they develop and give visitors extra peace of mind.

“The RNLI is pleased to be building on the good work and service that the council has previously provided and is really looking forward to the partnership.”

Cllr Chris Meaden, Wirral’s cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “We wish the new service every success, and are greatly indebted to the RNLI who have worked very positively with us to make this happen.

“Significantly, the change in provider will make no difference to the level of service the public have come to expect from the lifeguards.

“Apart from different coloured clothing worn by personnel, the public will not notice a difference.”

RNLI lifeguards will operate alongside existing volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew based at West Kirby, Hoylake and New Brighton, which will provide a joined-up service from the beach to the open sea.

The RNLI provides lifeguards on over 200 of the UK’s busiest beaches. Last year, the charity’s lifeguards helped over 19,000 people, saving the lives of 92 people, rescuing a further 1,769 people and treating 1,083 major first aid casualties.

The lifeguard posts will be funded by the council while the extensive training and equipment needed by the lifeguards will be paid for by the RNLI.

As a charity that depends on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income, the RNLI will be relying on the continued support of the public to help fund its role in this new venture.


For those heading to the beach, the RNLI’s top five beach safety tips are:

1.       Swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags

2.       Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas

3.       Check tide times before you go

4.       If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help

5.       If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard,

          Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.