They're the team that helped keep North Tyneside's award-winning beaches safe and clean this summer - and now there's a chance to join them.

Lifeguard to the rescue

The team is made up of male and female lifeguards of all ages, ranging from those who have years of experience to new 'rookie' lifeguards working their first season.

There will be more than 30 full-time and part-time lifeguard positions next summer and the council will be looking for a number of newly-qualified lifeguards.

However, budding beach lifeguards are advised they will first need the Royal Lifesaving Society's (RLSS) National Beach Lifeguard Qualification, which they can gain this winter.

Cllr Dave McGarr, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Thousands of people visited North Tyneside this summer to enjoy our wonderful beaches.

"We are committed to ensuring they're safe and attractive places to enjoy, which means our beach lifeguards have an extremely important role."

The council's training partners, North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards (NSVL), have arranged a course for prospective lifeguards to gain the RLSS qualification.

The course will run on Sundays from 21st January 2007 until mid March and will ensure potential lifeguards are full qualified in advance of vacancies being advertised in January.

It costs £120 per person with the qualification being valid for two years. Applicants must be aged at least 16, however there is no upper age limit. Certain fitness requirements must be met.

NSVL lifeguard trainer Geoff Wade said: "Although a reasonable standard of swimming is required, being a lifeguard requires many other skills.

"There is plenty of time for candidates to improve their swimming and fitness before the assessment at the end of the course."

To find out more information, view the Beach Lifeguard pages .