MP Sheryll Murray and Cornwall Council have come to the rescue of the RNLI.

Yesterday morning the South East Cornwall MP was on Tregonhawke Beach in Whitsand Bay helping RNLI lifeguards put up a gazebo as a temporary HQ from which to do their patrols.

An ongoing situation between the RNLI and Tregonhawke Cliff Chalet Owners Association (TCCOA) over public liability issues has meant there has been no lifeguard cover on the beach all summer. TCCOA took over the lease of the area from Cornwall Council last September. Earlier this year the RNLI had hoped to erect a gazebo but TCCOA refused them access across their land.

But after two incidents on the beach on Sunday in which people were injured and needed help, the MP and Cornwall Council decided 'enough was enough'.

Speaking to the Cornish Times, Mrs Murray said: 'I have been encouraging the RNLI, Cornwall Council and TCCOA to sit down to discuss the future lease of the area. I have been disappointed that

TCCOA have not come forward.

'We are now in high season and lifeguard cover at Tregonhawke is imperative. I am determined RNLI lifeguards will be back on the beach this weekend.'

In a statement RNLI lifeguard inspector Steve Instance said: 'We are delighted to see our lifeguards back on Tregonhawke.

'Although the RNLI hasn't yet reached a permanent resolution with TCCOA to operate from the beach lifeguard unit, this interim solution to run the service from the gazebo will ensure the beach is patrolled for the remainder of the summer.'

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said the council had decided to step in as it viewed the current situation at Tregonhawke as unacceptable.

A council statement said: 'The RNLI will work from a gazebo on freeholders' land at high tide. The land below mid-high water on which the RNLI will patrol is believed to be either Crown or Duchy land. As the land is currently open to public access and the RNLI has established use, the lifeguards will use their right to cross TCCOA land to provide the service.'