An average of five rescues a day were carried out over the summer

The charity has 34 stations from Silloth to West Kirby in the west, and Berwick to Skegness in the east.

Figures released on Monday showed 460 rescues were carried out in June, July and August, an average of five a day.

A spokesman said the high figures reflect the increasing number of people using the sea for leisure pursuits.

Only the summer of 2003 was busier, with an unprecedented 568 rescues in the north.

'Safety messages'

The north's busiest lifeboat station this summer was Whitby in North Yorkshire, with 29 launches.

On the north west coast, the lifeboat station which carried out the most services was Barrow, with 21 launches.

Several lifeboat stations were much busier than in previous years including Amble in Northumberland which had its busiest ever summer, with 28 launches, compared to 11 last summer and 17 in 2003.

Andrew Ashton, RNLI Divisional Inspector for the North, said: "Around three-quarters of our rescues this summer were undertaken by inshore lifeboats and involved pleasure craft in trouble or individuals in the water or on inflatables.

"Along with other organisations, the RNLI continues to promote sea and beach safety messages to members of the public and we are starting to see some successes.

"As well as giving up their own time to rescue people in difficulty at sea, our volunteer crew members dedicate much time and energy each month to training.

"This ensures that they are always ready to respond as safely and effectively as possible when called upon to rescue someone in difficulty at sea."