PROLONGING sunshine and the hottest summer for seven years kept RNLI teams across the South West busy this summer.

Provisional statistics released by the charity for the period June, July and August show a 24 per cent increase in incidents for RNLI lifeguards, and lifeboat crews attending 652 rescues.

RNLI lifeguards dealt with 10,615 incidents across the South West, including water based rescues, major and minor first aids and missing children.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.