RNLI lifeguards across the 'Post' area were busy over the Easter bank holiday weekend, as the sunny weather and surf conditions attracted crowds to the south west's beaches.

In the South West, beachgoers could choose from 20 lifeguards patrolled beaches, including Summerleaze at Bude, Polzeath and Widemouth.

Surfers, bodyboarders, kayakers and families all headed to the coast as the weather turned out better than expected. With big spring tides, and three to four foot surf, the RNLI lifeguards were under pressure to keep people in the flagged zones, away from hazards and aware of the fast tides in order to prevent incidents happening.

The handful of rescues and assists over the weekend in the region were mostly to novice surfers caught out by the strong currents. They also dealt with a couple of major and minor first aids; again these were mainly surf related injuries.

RNLI Divisional Life­guard Inspector Steve Instance said: "Although the beaches were extremely busy with families and surfers, thanks to the beach safety advise and proactive prevention work by the RNLI lifeguards, they were not required to do many rescues."