Letter: Heroes of the British beaches

Sir: I am delighted Liz Loughran was reunited with her lost son by French lifeguards (letters, 21 August). However, her assertion that no such service exists here is thankfully incorrect.

Brighton council operates a team of lifeguards stationed all along the town seafront seven days a week from May to September. The service is equipped as she suggests with radios and a public address system, and also has support from a rescue boat and local Red Cross volunteers.

I spent several happy summers until 1986 as part of the Brighton lifeguard crew and can assure Liz Loughran that should she visit our town she will enjoy excellent care from my former colleagues, though they may be a little less bronzed than their French or television counterparts.

IAN SANDERS

Brighton

East Sussex