Tankerton beach looks unlikely to receive extended lifeguard cover based on cost grounds, despite a recent near-tragedy.

At a meeting of the Whitstable Forum, the council's foreshore manager said that bolstering the service would be too expensive.

But David Hayward, who is visits officer for Whitstable RNLI and called for lifeguard cover over future May bank holidays, argued the benefits of having extended cover despite the advice there is no money in the budget.

He spoke "purely as a member of the public and a regular user of the beach", at a meeting that came just weeks after two girls were saved from drowning in the sea off Tankerton beach.

“I am disappointed that the recommendation is based on cost grounds rather than need,” he said.

“It seems to be a report that is almost wanting to be the end of the story rather than providing information for further consideration by the Whitstable councillors.

“I understand that there are huge cost pressures but I still feel that on the grounds of general safety and also in the context of that Tankerton Bay is heralded as a blue flag beach, that further consideration could be given.”

Mr Hayward believes extended cover should be provided for the school holiday in May and says other authorities, including Thanet, provide cover for its beaches for the school holiday in May.

The report made to members by foreshore manager Matthew Young says the existing cover is for weekends in June and July and every day throughout the summer holiday period.

He said the current level of cover at both Tankerton and Herne Bay beaches meets the criteria for the Coastal Award accreditation schemes and the demands identified by analysing relevant user behaviour.

Extending the service to cover the May bank holiday would equate to 36 extra staff days and affect training and induction of new staff, which would also add to costs.

He concluded: “Any extension to the lifeguard service operating framework would impact negatively on overall service delivery.”

But Mr Hayward says there should be cover at least over the May bank holiday when the beach and foreshore are busy but there are no lifeguards to keep logs and record activity.

His view is supported by fisherman Richard Foad, who recently saved two young girls in difficulty in the incoming tide on a sand spit off Tankerton known as The Street.

He told KentOnline: “There absolutely has to be cover over the May bank holiday because it can be very busy and the waters can be dangerous, especially around The Street, where swimmers can be caught out.

“I also think the lifeguard hut is in the wrong place to properly be able to observe that area which is probably the most dangerous on the foreshore.”

At the Whitstable Forum meeting, members clarified that lifeguard staffing is constantly under review.

There was some discussion about whether lifeguard provision could be synchronised with the tides rather than with the clock, but this idea was dispelled on the grounds that there are also many dangers at low tide – including at The Street.

Cllr Neil Baker said: “The Foreshore team will definitely be keeping a close eye on how it demands change.

"It’s a service that many appreciate and plays a key role in coastal safety and education.

"After all, children learning a thing or two about the dangers of the sea will likely be safer even when on a beach without lifeguards.”