News reports located on this page = 2.

This is why you shouldn't drive on the beach in Southport

OVER the last few weeks a number of vehicles have been ignoring warnings about driving on the beach and local Emergency Services as well as Sefton Council have again asked to remind people:- "Do not drive on the beach unless it is within designated areas, at designated times." A local recovery firm, who wanted to remain anonymous added:- "We often get reports of cars stuck on the beach as the summer approaches. People do not realise that the sand is not as firm as they might think and also forget the tide comes in. People who drive out on the beach are putting their lives and others at risk. People just do not understand the danger."

A local fisherman also added:- "Some of us have special permission to drive on the beach. We know where to drive and where not to. But even then, it can catch us out and we get stuck. But people often try to drive out at night. this is when it is especially dangerous. The beach is full of hidden hazards and even by day, driving is very risky, but at night, people will not know if you get into difficulty. Also in the day time, people walk on the beach, so you could easily hit a child or even an animal. That is not forgetting the mess the vehicle makes of the area, both ecologically and visually."

A local Police Officer also said:- "It is worth remembering that if you do not have permission, you are liable to prosecution, plus once on the beach, this invalidates your insurance!" Over the last weekend of March, we spotted this 4by4 stuck in the mud and it just shows, even with a 4by4, it is extremely likely you will get stuck. So this Easter and over the summer, please remember, do not drive on the beach if you do not have permission to do so!!

Southport's HM Coastguard is recruiting volunteers to join the local Rescue Team

HM Coastguard Rescue Teams are made up entirely of specially trained and equipped volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to a wide range of emergency incidents including:- persons in the water, technical rope rescue incidents, mud rescue incidents, Search and Rescue Helicopter Operations, and vulnerable missing person searches. Coastguard Rescue Teams also work closely with the other category 1 Emergency Services, MRTs, RNLI as well as visiting Schools, clubs and community events to promote coastal and water safety. As a Coastguard Rescue Officer you may be called out at any time of the day or night in all weather conditions and may have to work in hazardous situations and carry out physically demanding tasks. If this sounds like something you would be interested in then we want to hear from you. Full training and equipment is provided and no previous emergency service or maritime experience is required. We do require you are aged over 18 years, have a full clean UK Driving Licence, live within the area of our Station and be available for call outs day and night. You also need to be reasonably fit and in good health and will require to take a health and fitness test and meet eyesight and hearing requirements prior to becoming operationally deployable. Being part of a Coastguard Rescue Team is a big commitment and requires regular attendance at training sessions and at emergency incidents. We are particularly interested in people with good daytime availability, during the course of the standard Monday to Friday working week for both training and call outs. If you meet the above criteria and interested in applying, please send a message of interest via email including your name, age, current address, contact number, current employment status and a bit of information about yourself to:- Area15@MCGA.Gov.UK with a subject heading of:- 'Recruitment 2019.' Please note application closing date 30 May 2019, any late applications will unfortunately not be processed...