THANET YOUNGSTERS LEARN ABOUT WATER SAFETY

Water safety around the Thanet coast is high on the agenda for Thanet schools, as two weeks of school water safety lectures start on Monday 15 March.

The "Water Safety in Thanet" school lectures are run this year by a partnership of organisations and are coordinated by the Thanet Coast Project, with support from the Big Lottery Fund. The talks focus on the dangers around the Thanet coastline, how to stay safe, have fun on the beaches and look after the environment. The talks include sessions with representatives from the lifeguards (Chris Betts, Thanet Leisureforce), Coastguards (Dave Melmoth, MCA and RNLI) and Thanet Coast Project (Suzie Hooper).

Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: "These immensely popular schools lectures are a vitally important part of promoting the message about water safety with local children, as the coastline plays such a huge part in all our lives. I'm delighted that the Thanet Coast Project are working in partnership with the coastguards, lifeguards and lifeboats to run these school sessions. The coastline is our largest open space, and children spend much of their holidays having fun and enjoying our beautiful beaches and we want to ensure that they know how to stay safe."

Andy Roberts, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "We're fully committed to preventing loss of life, continuously improving maritime and foreshore safety and protecting the marine environment. These water safety lectures are an excellent opportunity to help promote water safety, and are backed by a superb locally produced video 'Water Safety in Thanet' that has been nationally recognised as a great example of promoting the national water safety codes in our local area."

Further information about 'Water Safety in Thanet' can be found and viewed at www.thanetcoast.org.uk