A VOLUNTEER life brigade has dealt with a record number of incidents as warm weather leading to influx of visitors to the coast.

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade said its team had been called out to 26 incidents, during July, breaking the previous record of 25 set in August 2016.

These incidents have included people fallen on rocks or into the river, tidal cut offs and support to other emergency services.

They were spread along the coastline from St Mary's to Tynemouth and upriver as far as Newcastle city centre. One incident even took place in the Rising Sun Country Park.

Captain Jonny Peters said: "We've had 19 of the crew on call this month and together we've spent well over 100 hours dealing with incidents.

"Thankfully few were of a serious nature but they could all have become so had the team not been able to respond.

"It's been a great effort all round.

"Thanks should also go to our families and employers who allow us to disappear at all hours of the day and night with only a moment's notice."