Summer is well and truly here and record numbers are expected on Colwyn Bay beaches this year.

With that in mind and water safety an important factor on any beach Colwyn Bay Watersports have teamed up with the Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) and others in attempt to form the area's own voluntary surf lifesaving group.

A large crowd, consisting of residents and members of the water sports fraternity, attended an open meeting earlier this month at Porth Eirias showing support for the idea.

Lyle Bluck, tutor of the Surf Lifesaving Association of Wales (SLAW) and Matthew Jessop from the RNLI were on hand to present their vision for a local club and help answer questions from the public.

My Bluck said: “It was encouraging to see everyone’s passion for the project and a desire to make this a reality in Colwyn Bay.

“South Wales has well over 20 clubs serving beaches and stretches of water but we don’t have the same presence in the North.

"We would very much like that to change by providing support to individuals and groups who would like to take their first steps towards setting up a club.”

A beach lifeguard course will be run at Colwyn Bay Watersports in the coming weeks providing the opportunity for those interested to gain an internationally recognised qualification and begin the path towards establishing a club.

Colwyn Bay Watersports said the sport is "fairly unique" because the competition element closely mirrors the activities carried out by professional lifeguards working on duty beach patrols.

It involves an understanding of beach safety, weather and tide, water-based rescues and first aid.

Surf Lifesaving Association of Wales and the RNLI are heavily committed to supporting the scheme in North Wales.

There is a support package including free training and equipment on offer for clubs who affiliate and are keen to become involved.

A Colwyn Bay Watersports spokesperson, in statement, said: "A number of other coastal areas in North Wales are working along similar lines and it is hoped in the near future, local clubs will be able to meet up, share skills and compete against each other from time to time."

To get involved and be included in future project meetings please email Roger Pierce from CCBC at roger.pierce@conwy.gov.uk.