COLLEGE students will soon be on patrol after achieving National Beach Lifeguard accreditation.

The sports science students from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough begin their patrols of Redcar and Saltburn beaches today.

The will also patrol on Monday, and then at weekends until July 18, when they will take part in daily patrols.

During a five-day exercise in Saltburn, they took part in a number of tests, including swimming 400m in eight minutes, swimming 200m in the sea and demonstrating first aid techniques.

James Silk and Paul Walton, both 18, and 17-year-old Rebecca Livingston, will be based at Redcar's lifeguard station.

The Saltburn team, based in the lifeguard station on the lower promenade, will be led by Steve Monan, 28. He will be joined by 18-year-olds Chris Taylor and Craig Grainger, and Tom Gaunt, 16, a pupil at Freebrough Community College, Skelton.

The council's foreshore manager, Paul Castle, said: "We've got the makings of one of the strongest team we've had for the past ten years because of their basic ability."

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "We want people to feel safe at the seaside and I'm sure this team will help us achieve that aim."