Lifeguards' wages are paid by local authorities and beach owners

It follows warm weather and big swells last year which meant people enjoyed the beaches late in the season.

Lifeguards will be on duty on weekends in October and school half term at four of the busiest beaches, Perranporth, Croyde, Woolacombe and Bantham.

Local authorities and beach owners, which pay lifeguards' wages, have agreed to fund trial services.

Sea warmest

Dickon Berriman, RNLI lifeguard supervisor for north Devon said: "In the last few years we are seeing more and more people in the water later and later in the season.

"Having had the summer to heat up, the sea is actually at its warmest in October."

The RNLI has lifeguards at 66 beaches in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset for the summer season which lasts from the end of March to the end of September.

Perranporth has had extended cover into October for the last four years while the extended cover is being trialled at Croyde, Woolacombe and Bantham.

RNLI manager Greg Spray, said: "Most people would not associate October with visiting the beach.

"However last year, the great weather coupled with big sea swells, encouraged both surfers and families to visit the beach right up to the end of the month, keeping the RNLI lifeguards busy."