Penarth RNLI is taking extra precautions during the "circuit-breaker" lockdown and urges members of the public to do the same.

The lifeboat charity will not be conducting on-water training exercises during the two-week period and will limit the time crew members spend at the station.

They say their capacity to aid those in need of the service will be in no way impaired.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Jason Dunlop explained the precautions to Nub News:

"In real terms, all it means is that to play our part in minimising the COVID risk we have stopped doing on-water exercises and the station will be totally COVID-secure - no one will be going to the station apart from mechanics to check the equipment and when it is necessary during service calls.

"We can comfortably cease our exercises for a couple of weeks and not put at risk our crews or the public."

Since March, the RNLI has had to adapt its service to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is no longer advised and infection likelihood has become part of the risk analysis process.

Mr Dunlop said a similar degree of caution should be adopted by members of the public along the Penarth coastline.

"One of the things we probably are expecting is that local people will be going to the seaside more to walk and to exercise during the circuit-breaker. It's something we experienced during the initial lockdown. People need to be aware of the tide times and ensure that they don't get cut off."

Penarth RNLI is frequently tasked with rescuing walkers who have been cut off by the tides. On Monday, they helped retrieve two persons who became stranded when walking off Lavernock Point.

"We want people to enjoy our beautiful coast but to be aware of the risks and do so carefully and to call 999 if you run into difficulty."