FLOAT to live - that's the message from lifesavers as they launch their summer water safety campaign.

The RNLI, launching its national campaign from Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station today, is issuing safety advice and promoting its key 'float to live' message ahead of what it expects to be a very busy half term and platinum jubilee weekend at the coast.

Two men who credit that advice for saving their lives are Dave Henderden and Brian Harding who were flung into the sea after their boat capsized when it was hit by a freak wave.

As reported last November, the pair were found floating on their backs and were plucked to safety by members of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat crew.

Dave and Brian had been on a fishing trip on the River Axe near Axmouth and were heading back to shore when disaster struck.

Read more: Former Weymouth College student visits the Houses of Parliament

Once in the water, they could feel the current from the river taking them out to sea. They both knew they couldn’t swim long enough or hard enough to make it back to shore.

Dave recalled seeing an RNLI poster in his local yacht club which explained that if you get into difficulty in the water, you should float to live: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. Using this advice, he lay on his back and floated whilst he waited for help to arrive. Brian did the same.

Luckily, a fisherman who was taking photos of the sunset saw what happened and raised the alarm.

Gabbi Batchelor, Water Safety Education Manager at the RNLI said: "We are expecting the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend and the half-term holidays to be incredibly busy at the coast. We want everyone to enjoy their trip but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do in an emergency.

Read more: 'Are we getting through?' ask Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

"It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risks of the environment. It can be very unpredictable, particularly during early summer when the risk of cold water shock significantly increases, as air temperatures warm up but water temperatures remain dangerously cold.

"If you get into trouble in the water, float to live: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard."