Potential lifeguards will be able to show off their life-saving skills at RNLI tryouts in the run up to the holiday season.

The charity is looking for strong swimmers to patrol the beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk this summer.

Beach lifeguard tryouts will be held at 8.30pm on Sunday April 27 and Sunday May 4 at the Phoenix Swimming Pool in Widgeons Close, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth.

The sessions will be used to identify potential recruits and give people the chance to find out what the job involves.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Liam Fayle-Parr said: 'This is a great opportunity for people to come along and see if they have got what it takes to get a job as RNLI beach lifeguard.

'We'll be giving people the swim test that all potential lifeguards need to pass. They'll need to be able to swim 400m in under seven minutes and 30 seconds. If they don't quite make it we can give them some tips on how they can go faster.

'It'll be a fun evening and an opportunity for people to have a chat with us and find out if getting a job as a lifeguard is right for them.'

In Norfolk, lifeguards will patrol 11 beaches in between May and September this year, which will be Sheringham East, East Runton, Cromer East, Cromer West, Mundesley, Sea Palling, Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Wells.

During last year Norfolk lifeguards saved eight lives, rescued 54 people and dealt with 989 incidents, ranging from searching for missing children to water rescues.

In Suffolk, lifeguards will patrol Lowestoft and Southwold beaches during the same period. They saved two lives, rescued 16 people and dealt with 133 incidents last year.

Have you been helped by the RNLI? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk.