There have already been eight deaths by drowning so far this summer, making for a ‘sad interim balance’, according to the rescue brigade.

With just half the summer gone, this year is shaping up to beat the record number of drownings last year, when 19 people died, the brigade said.

In previous years, three or four people drowned during the summer months.

Most of the people who have died so far this year got into difficulties when they went to help someone else, the brigade said.