With a long, hot bank holiday weekend on the horizon for Penarth residents, the RNLI team and coastguards remind residents to stay away from the sea during the coronavirus crisis.

While it might be tempting to take a trip to the coast the advice states clearly that you shouldn't.

Unless the seaside is part of your local area and is being used as your one form of exercise a day the guidance states that you should not visit the coast.

A message from Penarth's RNLI team: ''Under normal circumstances, many people would be heading to the coast this weekend to enjoy the Easter bank holiday.

''Given the current COVID-19 outbreak, the RNLI is urging everyone not to use the sea for exercise or recreation, and to follow the clear Government instructions: stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

''While you are allowed out for daily exercise, we do not recommend that this exercise is on or in the sea.

''Our charity's lifeboat service is still available but every time a lifeboat crew is called to an incident, it puts additional pressure on RNLI volunteers and other front line emergency services as well as potentially exposing them to COVID-19.

''You could be fully competent and never needed rescue but by going out on the water you could encourage others who are less proficient to take part in similar activities.

''We know people who live at the coast still want to exercise by the sea, but when you do this, please think of the potential impact of your actions on RNLI lifeboat volunteers and other emergency services.''

This advice comes after the third coastguard callout to Sully Island since the lockdown when four boys from Bristol were rescued by the RNLI and Penarth Coastguard. Find out more here.

Penarth Coastguard said: ''The Government has been clear that during this coronavirus pandemic we need to Stay Home and Save Lives.

''Despite that, we've had 3 incidents of people cut off on Sully Island since lockdown.

''This shouldn't be happening with either ourselves or South Wales Police Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan meeting after Barry Dock RNLI launched by the request of Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

''Every 999 call made could put our frontline responders at risk of #COVID-19 and places avoidable pressure on our vital NHS services. Stretch your legs but not our resources by staying close to home for your exercise.''

The government has stated that exercise should be taken locally, once a day and car travel should be avoided.