Recruitment opened this week for what is claimed to be “Suffolk’s best summer job”.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is looking for strong swimmers with good fitness levels to patrol beaches at Southwold and Lowestoft and is holding a series of tryouts this month.

The call comes as new figures released this week show that Suffolk’s lifeguards dealt with 109 incidents, rescued five people and saved one life in 2014. They also gave first aid 69 times and found 13 missing children.

The RNLI said it is seeking candidates who match its core values of being courageous, selfless, trustworthy and dependable.

Successful applicants will receive “world-class” training in search and rescue, lifesaving and casualty care techniques, which the charity says will “wow future employers”.

Vincent Pank, the RNLI’s lifeguard manager, said: “Being an RNLI beach lifeguard is not only Suffolk’s best summer job – it’s got to be Britain’s best summer job as well. The beach is your office.

“You get paid to train and practice how to save people from drowning, as well as first aid skills, so you’re ready to leap into action and save a life at a moment’s notice.

“Lifeguards come from all walks of life, including teachers, business owners and gap year travellers, but we do recruit a lot of university and college students because it’s a seasonal job. So, if you’re thinking about stacking shelves or temping in an office this summer, think again.

“Why not swap the shirt and tie for shorts and sunglasses and see if you’ve got what it takes to be a beach lifeguard with the RNLI?”

To apply or to find out more contact Mr Pank at vincent_pank@rnli.org.uk, call him on 07917 581567, or visit www.rnli.org.uk/jobs