Beachgoers are urged to take care and stay safe after HM Coastguard had its busiest day last weekend.

Teams across the UK responded to 340 incidents on Saturday, August 8, the highest amount of callouts in a single day for well over four years.

Packed coastlines and beaches kept crews very busy throughout another hot heatwave day, which saw coastguard rescue teams attend 221 incidents.

Both the RNLI and independent lifeboats were called out on 155 occasions combined and aircraft - 30 taskings - were also used to assist at the coast and sea.

Over the weekend, Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was called to a fishing boat taking on water, two men drifting on an inflatable dinghy three miles off Abbotsbury and another two men drifting out to sea on a partially deflated dinghy, also off Abbotsbury.

Lyme Regis Coastguard was called to the wrong Seaton Beach in Cornwall rather than east Devon and West Bay Coastguard also attended to the two men drifting out to sea on a deflated dinghy and reports of a girl drifting out to sea on an inflatable off Freshwater, but this turned out to be a false alarm with good intent.

Saturday’s incident count represents a significant 145 per cent increase when compared to the average amount of callouts recorded throughout August 2019. The count also surpasses the previous - and recent - busiest day over the past few years, Friday, July 31, when rescuers coordinated 329 incidents.

Richard Hackwell, HM Coastguard head of coastguard operations, said: “We have seen a big rise in incident numbers as more people visit coastal areas and head to the beach. We understand that people want to have fun at the coast and enjoy the heatwave, but we urge everyone to respect the sea and take responsibility in helping to ensure the safety of themselves, friends and family.

“We’re heading into a period of more good weather so we want to remind you to check and double check tide times as even the most experienced swimmer or keen watersports enthusiast can get caught out by currents and tides. Plan your day out, always exercise caution and make sure you have a way of contacting us if you get into trouble.”

He added: “As our latest statistics show, we’ll always respond when someone calls 999 and asks for the coastguard but help us to help you by not making choices which could put yourself and others at risk.

“Every time our frontline teams respond – as they always do and always will – please don't forget that they're also put at risk too. Take extra care at the coast today and over the coming days. We don’t want you to remember your day-out for all the wrong reasons.”