THE RNLI are putting out an SOS due to a shortage of volunteers to man their shop at Poppit Sands.

Shop manager Jane Jameson said they would be able to extend their opening hours if more volunteers came forward.

“At the moment we are very short,” she told the Tivy-Side. “That’s partly down to Covid and the fact that volunteers who have become older are just not willing to take the risk.

“I’m currently working my fifth day in a row so – seeing that this is a particularly busy time of year - we currently need another three volunteers at least.

“We are opening at present for one stint daily from 12 noon to five – whereas pre-Covid we’d be open morning and afternoon.

“Ideally, we’d like to stay open every day until the end of the October half-term holiday because a lot of holiday accommodation around here is still fully booked up to then.

“And after half-term we’re open on every weekend right up to Christmas and after that each Sunday all the way to Easter.

“Most volunteers only work one set day a week and we’re obviously flexible when it comes to things like hospital appointments.”

Anyone interested in applying should ring 01239 621948 or call in at the shop.