Lifeguard try-outs are to be held to find potential lifesavers to patrol the beaches of Suffolk this summer.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is looking to recruit strong swimmers who are “courageous, selfless, trustworthy and dependable”.

RNLI lifeguards will patrol Southwold and Lowestoft beaches between May and September this year.

In 2013, Suffolk lifeguards saved two lives, rescued 16 people and dealt with 133 incidents.

The beach lifeguard try-outs will be used to identify potential candidates and to give people the chance to find out what the job involves.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Liam Fayle-Parr said: “This is a great opportunity for people to come along and see if they have got what it takes to get a job as a beach lifeguard.

“We’ll be giving people the swim test that all potential lifeguards need to pass.

“They’ll need to be able to swim 400m in under seven minutes and 30 seconds.

“If they don’t quite make it we can give them some tips on how they can go faster.

“It’ll be a fun evening and an opportunity for people to have a chat with us and find out if getting a job as a lifeguard is right for them.”

Beach lifeguard try-outs will be held at 8.30pm on Sunday, April 27 and Sunday, May 4 at the Phoenix Swimming Pool in Widgeons Close, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth.