LV= KidZone returns to Bournemouth for another year

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, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP 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 all of the seven mile stretch of golden beach, and runs throughout the school summer holidays. LV= is the overall sponsor of the scheme which is now in its 13^th year. KidZone Operatives 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, 72,400 wristbands were given out, up by just over 29,000 from the year prior. LV= helped reunite 192 children who went missing in the six week summer holiday and despite it being so busy on the beaches it only took an average of eight minutes and eight seconds to bring the families back together.

Samantha Preece, Head of Brand and Marketing at LV=, said: "As one of the largest employers in Bournemouth, LV= is committed to supporting the local community and we’re delighted to be sponsoring this valuable project for yet another year."

“We’ve got one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the south coast but with thousands of 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."