by Emma Grove

The sea off Sheppey was full of people enjoying a range of water activities at the weekend.
Shingle Bank Beach in Minster was the location for a day of water sports on Sunday.
Different services and clubs including HM Coastguard, RNLI, Minster Windsurf Academy, Kent Marine Police, and Swale Borough Council lifeguards were on hand to provide information and advice about having fun and staying safe in the water.
Minster Windsurf Academy offered the chance to have a go on a windsurf simulator and Minster Lifeguard Club demonstrated their life-saving work on Minster Leas beach.
A spokesman for Swale council, which organised the event, said: “We were very pleased to see how many people took up the invitation to attend the fun day, to find out more about the water-sports activities that are on offer along the Swale coastline.
“It was a good opportunity for families and water sports enthusiasts alike to learn about the potential hazards of the water and the ways they can keep safe in the sea.
“It was also good to have the visible presence of lifeguards and the Coastguard.”

For more pictures see this week's Times Guardian