LIFEGUARD services on Dorset's beaches are set to receive a funding boost from West Dorset District Council.

The council's executive committee has recommended £20,000 go towards providing life-savers at West Bay, Lyme Regis and Charmouth during busy summer periods.

Car parking charges at council beach car parks will be increased to help cover the costs.

The funding was one piece of expenditure recommended by members as the council prepares to set its 2007-08 budget.

It is basing calculations on a proposed council tax precept of £116.10 on a Band D property - up 2.4 per cent from 2006-07.

Finance manager Adrian Stuart told councillors that environment overview and scrutiny committee members requested the cash last month.

The request followed a report from the RNLI suggesting lifeguards be provided at the three beaches during the school summer holidays.

RNLI chiefs offered to fund one of the lifeguards if the council agreed to finance the move. The committee supported the funding and suggested using parking charges to cover the cost - thought to be around £9,500 per lifeguard, per summer.

Executive members agreed and recommended the full council provide the money when the budget is announced later this month.

Councillor Anthony Alford aired his concerns over the car parking charges being increased all-year round.

"I find the proposition of increasing the charges for the whole year when the service is only provided for some of it a little hard to sustain," he said.

Councillors recommended to full council that the prudent balance for 2007-08 be set at £1.25million. They also recommended £800,000 in funds be transferred to the capital reserve.

The 2007-08 budget will be announced at a full meeting of the council on February 22.