COASTGUARDS today issued a warning to parents and children to take extra care on trips to the seaside.

They launched a "Sea Smart campaign" to urge families to follow safety advice and avoid accidents or getting into difficulty in the water.

They say there was an increase of nearly 18 per cent in the number of seaside incidents last year, resulting in a total of 2,514 cases where people needed rescue or assistance.

At least 20 children died in accidents on the coast during 2005, including drownings.

Youngsters were swept out to sea from rocks or the beach by freak waves. Others were caught in strong currents or cut off by the tide.

Other incidents ending in tragedy involved people jumping off high rocks, cliffs or piers. There were even cases of holidaymakers being buried by collapsing sand when digging on the beach.

Coastguards say 92 per cent of parents are unaware that drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death amongst young people in the UK.

Most children who drown can swim but are no match for strong currents, tidal rips and large waves.

Chief Coastguard, Peter Dymond said: "The sea can be treacherous and powerful and can change within minutes. The main advice is to be vigilant and follow safety warnings. If you see someone in difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Do not attempt to rescue them yourself."

He said it was vital that children and parents look out for warning signs and flags on the beach. Red flags are a warning that the water is unsafe, and red and yellow flags indicate the areas where it is safe to swim.