A GROUP of students swapped their text books for lifeguard duties as the service returned to Redcar and Saltburn beaches over the bank holiday weekend.

All seven lifeguards, who are studying for degrees at universities, started the summer safety campaign after meeting up for the first time last week.

The team is being led by retired police sergeant Jim Beckett, who has returned for his 13th season. It will operate at weekends until the beginning of the summer holidays when it will become daily until Sunday September 3.

Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "All our lifeguards have retaken and successfully passed their beach lifeguard qualification.

"We want people to have fun and feel safe on our beaches and the team we have put together will help us do that."

Last summer, the lifeguards dealt with 90 incidents, ranging from minor first aid to inflatables swept out to sea, to protecting seals on the beach.

Returning for their third season are University of Teesside students Chris Taylor, 20, and Craig Gardener, 20, and 22-year-old surf instructor Dan Nichol, who will patrol Saltburn beach.

Also in their third season are Durham University student James Silk, 20, and 19-year-old Sheffield student Rebecca Livingstone, who will at Redcar central beach.

New member Paul Walton, a 19-year-old University of Teesside student, will be stationed at Redcar.

Back-up for both beaches will be provided by Tom Gaunt, 18, while Mr Beckett will provide vehicle patrol to areas of both beaches not covered by the lifeguards.