Children in Ceredigion will be safer on the beach in the future thanks to RNLI lifeguard-led education sessions.

Almost 9,000 youngsters from across south and west Wales took part in the charity’s popular Hit the Surf and Meet the Lifeguards schemes in 2016.

They learned about beach safety information and open water survival training from the experts.

The Hit the Surf programme saw primary school children don wetsuits and spend half a day on the beach with RNLI lifeguards learning about beach safety.

Gareth King, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor and Community Engagement Supervisor, said: "This summer was a really busy one for our lifeguard teams in Wales as we introduced new services on seven beaches in Porthcawl, Gower and Denbighshire. So to see this many children and young people learning how to stay safe at the beach in 2016 is a real credit to the lifeguards who delivered the sessions."

RNLI lifeguards teach children about the meaning of beach flags, the dangers of rips and tides, what to do if they spot someone else in trouble and what to do if they get into trouble themselves.

Meet the Lifeguard sessions took place in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Swansea.

Hit the Surf sessions ran at Whitmore Bay on Barry Island, Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot, Tenby, Whitesands Beach in St Davids, Newport Sands, Poppit Sands and New Quay.

Anyone who needs safety information should visit the RNLI’s website at http://rnli.org/safety/respect-the-water/Pages/Safety.aspx .’