The golden sands of The Gambia wasn’t a place where proud RNLI supporter Robert Painter expected to find lifeguards flying our flag …

'My wife and I have recently returned from The Gambia on holiday. On the first day we walked from our apartment to the beach, some 50m, and were shocked to see an RNLI flag flying on the sands, with the red and yellow flags marking the safety swim area.

'We then met two lifeguards and asked how on earth did they acquire their equipment? They said some RNLI people trained them from the UK.

'They also said that before they started guarding the area, two or three people drowned very often. Since their duty, not one person has drowned.

'They are lovely people and very dedicated. Keep up the wonderful work.'