FURTHER calls have been made for lifeguards on Dwyfor and Meirionnydd’s beaches.

Following three deaths in the last year, calls have been made for lifeguards to be installed on beaches.

RNLI volunteer and water safety expert Nick Aitken, who lives in Tywyn, works to educate children on the dangers of open water and encourages ‘safer swimming’.

However. Nick says much of what he teaches children is rendered obsolete by Gwynedd Council’s current policy of not hiring registered lifeguards.

He said: “We teach children to recognise the dangers, read signs, know the flags and encourage them to speak to beach lifeguards to reduce the risk associated with open water.

“As everyone is aware, Gwynedd currently does not have Lifeguards on its beaches where as Local Authorities either side do.

“As most of my presentations are delivered to children who are likely to visit Gwynedd beaches, our safety talks are contradicted by Gwynedd Council’s current status not to have Lifeguards.

“We are all well aware of the tragedies that have happened recently in Barmouth, last year in Tywyn and only two weeks ago, there was a rescue on Tywyn beach by a bystander, something has to change.”

The RNLI volunteer hopes to change the county council’s attitude towards trained lifeguards.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Council officers are in regular contact with the RNLI to ensure effective communication and working arrangements."

See the full story in tomorrow’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News