Planes to tow safety banners

It is the first time the RNLI has used aerial advertising.

Banners promoting beach safety are to be flown from planes above Cornwall.

It is believed to be the first time the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has used aerial advertising.

The RNLI runs a rescue service on several Cornish beaches, but in the past it has found it difficult to attract people's attention.

The charity says the public seem to be at their most vulnerable when they are relaxing on holiday.

Cost shared

It says they need to take more notice of red and yellow flags which mark the areas where bathers can swim safely.

It hopes the banner towed behind planes above the Cornish coast will remind people to stay safe.

The cost of the flypast has been shared between the RNLI and local authorities.

Lifeguards will determine whether more people swim between the red and yellow flags once the plane has gone past.