LV= Kidzone returns to Bournemouth beach

Families visiting Bournemouth Beach this summer will have peace of mind as the LV= KidZone scheme returns for another year to help keep children safe during the school holidays.

In partnership with Bournemouth Council, the scheme provides children with free colour-coded wristbands that correspond to clearly 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.

The scheme covers a four and a half mile stretch of the seven mile beach and runs throughout the school summer holidays. LV= is the overall sponsor of the scheme and has been involved with the project since 1996. Staff work with the RNLI lifeguards, seafront services staff and local police to ensure lost children can be found as quickly as possible, and with minimal distress to them and their parents.

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.

"As one of the largest employers in Bournemouth, LV= is committed to supporting local projects and is delighted to be sponsoring this valuable community service scheme again. 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."

Samantha Preece, Head of Corporate Responsibility at LV=

"LV= KidZone is an important part of our welcome for visitors to Bournemouth beach, making them feel safer and enabling them to relax and enjoy their stay. The scheme was the first of its kind in the country and has been very successful in reuniting lost children during the busy summer months on the beach. Thanks to the ongoing support of LV= we are able to offer this to the thousands of parents and children who visit our beaches each year."

Councillor Lawrence Williams, Portfolio Holder for Tourism

"LV= KidZone is excellent. It raises awareness for the kids to come across to the lifeguard hut and speak to us if they get lost, and the bands are extremely helpful because of the phone number and colour coding. It makes it much easier and quicker for us to locate the children’s parents."

Chris Hornsby, Lifeguard Supervisor