LIFEGUARDS who have been keeping a keen eye on beach-goers in Weymouth and west Dorset this summer have been recognised for their hard work with an awards evening to cap off the season.

The ceremony was held at The Bridge Inn in Preston, with accolades handed out to the heroes who have kept tourists and residents safe on the coast throughout the summer season.

Alice Higgins, lead lifeguard supervisor, said: "As the 2020 season comes to an end, we would like to say a big thank you to all of our lifeguard team for their hard work this summer and for adjusting so well to the new ways of working.

"You did an amazing job keeping everyone safe across Weymouth and west Dorset beaches during these strange times. Have a well deserved rest and keep safe throughout the next few autumn and winter months"

Senior lifeguard Ben Greenslade, based at Lyme Regis, took home the Goldin Fin special recognition award and the 'best lifeguard' crown.

Alice said: "The Golden Fin is an award that the supervisor team use to recognise someone who has excelled during the season. Being a brand new senior is tough enough, let alone working with additional policies and procedures due to the coronavirus, but he took it all in his stride and was always smiling."

Maddie Vincent won 'minors expert' for dealing with the most minor incidents such as weever fish and jelly fish stings.

The 'best major first aid' award went to Archie Ellis-Stanley and Harry Hutchinson, after they displayed great teamwork one busy day in July when they were alerted to an unresponsive female who needed urgent medical care a short distance away from the lifeguard tower, followed soon after by another very unwell gentleman outside a nearby restaurant.

Aden Boyall, Tristan O’Leary and Maddie Vincent won 'most improved', Jack Hayward won 'best comedy moment', 'Best observation' went to Josh Westlake and 'most defects' went to Ryan Flaherty.

The award for 'best incident' went to Ben Greenslade, Simon Davis and Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station chairman Mark, after a 14-year-old was rescued after appearing to have a seizure while bodyboarding at Lyme Regis.

The team's longest-serving lifeguard Josh Lesley-Smith was voted 'most dedicated' by his peers.

Alice added: "A big thank you to all of the team for all of their hard work this summer, the busiest we have ever seen our local beaches. Look forward to working with them next summer."