RNLI says lifesaving callouts increased by 30% in summer 2020

Lifeboats launched an average of 42 times a day, with more people heading to usually quiet spots

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution saved 140 lives last summer as crowds of people headed to the seaside after the first lockdown, an increase of more than 30% on the same period the previous year.

Water safety experts at the RNLI said there was a sharp increase in the number of people getting into difficulty while using standup paddleboards and that its lifeboats were scrambled to more rescues at traditionally less popular spots as people hunted for a quiet space away from the masses.