AFTER a spate of drownings on the coast across the country, Okehampton Otters is reminding people to take care on our shores.

Okehampton Otters instructor Tony Clark said: ‘Around 400 people needlessly drown in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life changing, through near-drowning experiences. Putting this into context, one person dies every 20 hours in the UK. Drowning is also the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK.

‘Understanding water dangers, how to swim safely and what to do to help others is of great relevance to us all, particularly children.’

A group from the Otters have recently received Royal Life Saving Society gold medallion awards after 12 months of training with Tony.

The Otters currently offer Royal Life Saving Society training for young people from eight to 11 years old through the Rookie Lifeguard programme and provides training for the Survive and Save awards for those aged 12 to 16.

Lifesavers need to be able to swim at least two lengths without stopping. The training for all the awards includes recognising the dangers, taking safety advice, swimming safely and learning to help others, with friends and with fun.

The Otters meet at Parklands Leisure Centre every Friday in term time from 6pm to 7pm with the first free taster session on Friday, September 9.

For further information email [email protected]