A warning has been issued by the RNLI ahead of the spring tides in south Wales.

The RNLI is urging people to take extra care over the Easter break due to an increased risk of becoming stranded by the tide.

This follows a rise in tidal cut off rescues demonstrated by newly released figures.

The RNLI is advising people to be particularly vigilant on the approach to the high-risk spring tide this Friday, March 29, coinciding with the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Due to the variable nature of tide times and heights throughout the month, people can easily become stranded and in need of assistance.

Spring tides have a greater depth range between high and low water, meaning that at high tide, the water reaches further up the beach.

Jason Dunlop, Penarth RNLI lifeboat operations manager said: "Although the job of our volunteer crews is to save lives at sea, we also know how vital our water safety prevention work is.

"Educating people about the risks, such as tidal cut-off, plays a huge part in preventing people getting in danger in the first place and gives them the knowledge to be able to help keep themselves and their families safe."

He highlighted the importance of careful planning, especially in light of the bigger than usual tides, and stated that the Vale of Glamorgan sees plenty of tidal cut off incidents, particularly in the region around Sully Island.

A rocky causeway connects Sully Island and the mainland, and becomes submerged quickly around three hours before high tide, potentially trapping people on the island or washing them into the water.

"It’s so important to check the tide times and be aware of bigger tides at different times of the year.

"Always carry a means of calling for help, as you never know when you might need it," he continued.

There was an increase in tidal cut-off rescue operations last year across the lifeguard and lifeboat services in Wales . To combat this, the RNLI plans to launch the Sully Island RNLI Water Safety Task Force this summer.

The initiative will see water safety volunteers carrying out proactive patrols along the Sully coastline, educating the public about the risks of tidal cut-off.

Chris Cousens, RNLI water safety lead for Wales, said: "We’re looking forward to launching this new initiative later in the year, as we see more and more people start using the coast as we move into the warmer months."

He emphasised the importance of spreading awareness about the risks of becoming cut off by the tide, especially with a greater threat expected over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

Mr Cousens warned: "On bigger tides like we will see in the coming days, places will be cut off by the tide quicker than normal and places usually unaffected by the tide may also be cut off."

He stressed the importance of checking the weather and tide times on a reliable source such as the Met Office, BBC Weather, or a tidal prediction app, before setting off.

For emergencies, he urges people to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.