Sheppey's Leysdown beach will be one of just three beauty spots in Kent to have lifeguards in the coming weeks, the RNLI has confirmed.

The charity usually provides a lifeguard service on 13 of the county's beaches but, due to the challenges posed by coronavirus and social distancing rules, it has had to choose "priority beaches" based on a number of factors including risk and footfall.

The beaches normally covered are: Leysdown, Minster and Sheerness on Sheppey, Botany Bay, Viking Bay and Joss Bay and Stone Bay in Broadstairs, Margate, Minnis Bay, Westbrook Bay, Ramsgate, St Mildred’s and West Bay.

However, the RNLI has said only Leysdown, Viking Bay and Margate have had lifeguard cover so far confirmed – but it does hope it will be able to cover more.

A spokesman said: "Those are our three confirmed beaches for this summer, but there is a lot of work going on with our lifeguard service to look at any additional service we might be able to provide.

"In an ideal world, we’d like that to be a presence on a greater number of beaches, but as the lifeguard depends on so many different elements, such as local authorities, contractors, trainers and recruitment, it’s a complex process.

"We usually start implementing the service in early January to have lifeguards on the beaches by early June, so with the long pause this year because of uncertainty about what the public would be allowed to do, it’s taking a while to work out what might be possible."

He added: "Once we knew what proportion of our service we’d be able to provide this summer, with the guidelines as they were at that point, we spoke to all our coastal local authorities to work out between us our priority beaches based on several factors including risk and footfall.

"Those discussions resulted in the beaches we’ve confirmed."

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the charity has not yet had any lifeguards on Kent's beaches this year, but patrols will start tomorrow at Viking Bay.

Dates for the other two beaches have not yet been set in stone.

Since the easing of lockdown restrictions, the RNLI has focused on re-establishing the infrastructure required for the lifeguard service including recruitment, training and the ordering and distributing of equipment to beaches.

This year, because of the pandemic, the charity has also had to make sure guards are equipped with appropriate PPE and have been trained to manage the challenges of coronavirus.

Swale council, which would normally have lifeguards patrolling all three of Sheppey's beaches, said it was actively trying to recruit qualified lifeguards directly.

A spokesman said: "The timing of lockdown meant the RNLI were unable to carry out the essential training lifeguards need to be able to safely operate. We completely understand the difficulties they’re facing, and have been working closely with them over the past week to identify possible solutions for our beaches.

"They have confirmed they will be providing the service at Leysdown, our busiest beach, over the summer.

“We are also actively trying to recruit qualified lifeguards directly and are working with our leisure providers to identify any staff who could be trained up, if and when the ability to deliver training becomes available.

“If this isn’t possible, we are looking at the possibility of patrols by council officers who can monitor beaches and escalate issues to the appropriate emergency service as necessary, but this would not be a lifeguard service.

“This is not an ideal situation, as we know people will want to enjoy our beaches, but this isn’t a service that can be turned on and off at short notice. Lifeguards are highly-trained and the RNLI are the best in the world at what they do, so we urge everyone to listen to their safety advice and think before heading to the coast.”

The authority said it had put signs up at all three of its beaches to warn people that lifeguards were not on duty and advise them to be responsible in the water. It will also install banners over the next few days to reinforce the messages.

Thanet council has also been contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, the RNLI is urging anyone planning a visit to the coast to follow this safety advice:

• Take care near cliffs – know your route and your limitations

• Have a plan – check the weather forecast and tide times

• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, float to live. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float

• If individuals are choosing to go sailing or yachting it is important to ensure that equipment is properly checked and serviceable before going afloat

• In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

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