'STAY safe at the coast' is the message from rescuers as thousands of people head to the beaches and out onto the water this weekend.

With the hot, settled weather set to continue into the start of next week, the RNLI is urging people to take extra care if they are heading to the coast.

The past few weekends have seen rescuers in Dorset called out to numerous emergencies including people swept out to sea, thrillseekers jumping off cliffs and piers and injured sailors and climbers.

Those who have got the safety message include 450 pupils from various local schools who took part in the national Swim Safe and Junior FireFit session held on Weymouth Beach last week.

Staff from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) along with the RNLI and Weymouth Town Council ran a week of water safety and fitness sessions for children aged 7-14 to educate them on how to stay safe in and around open water.

During the two-hour session, pupils also took part in the Junior FireFit which involved a series of exercises to help promote healthy choices and teamwork, inspired by the role of firefighters.

Tess Cross, Education Coordinator for DWFRS said: “By working with partners to deliver Swim Safe and elements of the Junior Firefit programme we are helping local children of Weymouth understand how to stay safe whilst still enjoying their local area, and what to do if they see others in danger. We were delighted with the enthusiasm of the children to take part in the activities and learn important safety messages in a fun, engaging and memorable way.”

Firefighter Ann Marsh said “I feel really proud to have been able to deliver Swim Safe and Junior Fire Fit to 450 children in my home town thanks to the great partnership working between Weymouth Town Council, Swim Safe (Swim England and RNLI) and the fire service."

Meanwhile, the RNLI advises those planning on going into the water this weekend to head to a lifeguarded beach.

Swimmers and bodyboarders should stay between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards. If you bring an inflatable to the beach, do not use it if the orange windsock is flying or when the wind is blowing offshore as these conditions could drag the inflatable out to sea. If you plan on using a sea kayak or stand up paddleboard, make sure that you carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach.

Steve Instance, RNLI Community Safety Manager for the south west, said: "It has been an extremely busy few weeks for our emergency services including RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards, with a number of incidents around our coast, some of which have tragically ended in a death of someone’s loved one.

"Each death is one too many and our hearts go out to those who have been touched by these tragedies.

"With schools starting breaking up for the summer, and people heading to the coast to enjoy this spell of settled weather, we’d urge everyone planning a day out to the beach or on the water to take note of this vital safety advise.

"While the water temperatures are heating up, it is still cold compared to the air. Entering the water unexpectedly or very quickly can lead to cold water shock."

The following five steps to float could save your life if you find yourself in difficulty in the water:

1 Fight your instinct to thrash around

2 Lean back, extend your arms and legs

3 If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to help you float

4 Float until you can control your breathing

5 Only then, call for help or swim to safety

If you see someone in difficulty, don’t enter the water yourself as you could end up in trouble. Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.