Lifeboat crews have been verbally abused, said the RNLI

It follows two incidents when a small number of surfers refused to get out of the way of the Newquay lifeboat being launched at Towan Beach.

The charity says the vast majority of Newquay's surfers are experienced and competent and some have even assisted crews in rescues.

It says the problem is being caused by a limited number of amateurs.

Abuse 'unacceptable'

The RNLI says that on two occasions recently crews struggled to clear a path to launch the lifeboat despite using flashing blue lights, sirens and a tannoy.

Gareth Horner, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Newquay, said a few surfers had even "visually and verbally abused" the crews.

"Any form of abuse from other sea users is totally unacceptable, these individuals should be aware that it might be them in danger one day," he said.

"At Newquay we enjoy the support of many experienced and matured minded surfers, the people who abuse the crew are, I'm pleased to say, very much in the minority."

Barrie Hall from the British Surfing Association said it was "idiotic".

"That's idiotic behaviour isn't it really, anyone with any common sense could realise that if a lifeboat is called out on an emergency situation you let the guys get on with their job," he said.