FAMILIES visiting Bournemouth beach this summer can take advantage of a coloured wristband scheme in the event of children getting lost.

LV= has partnered up with Bournemouth council again this year to implement the Kid Zone scheme, which covers a four and a half mile stretch of the seven mile beach.

Children are provided with free colour-coded wristbands that correspond to marked sections on the beach. Families write their contact numbers on the wristbands and sit in the marked sections to allow beach staff to reunite them if they accidentally get separated throughout the day.

Staff work with RNLI lifeguards, seafront services staff, and local police to ensure lost children can be found as quickly as possible.

Samantha Preece, head of corporate responsibility at LV= said: “Bournemouth has one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the south coast but with up to 100,000 visitors each day in summer, it’s no wonder families can sometimes get separated.

“Visitors should look out for the LV= KidZone signs and pick up a wristband from the seafront office, lifeguards or beach team to take advantage of the free scheme."

Last year an estimated 4.2 million people visited Bournemouth beach and nearly 42,000 wristbands were given out. This resulted in 166 lost children being reunited with their parents, in an average time of just 6 minutes and 34 seconds.

Chris Hornsby, lifeguard supervisor, added: “LV=KidZone is excellent. It raises awareness for the kids to come across to the lifeguard station and speak to us if they get lost”.