FOLLOWING the success of the North Cornwall District Council tide guide over the previous few years, the NCDC Beach Ranger Service has produced a new and improved guide for 2009.

The pocket-sized booklet is colourful, informative and costs 70p.

Jolyon Sharpe, head beach ranger for North Cornwall District Council, said: "The beauty of the guide is that it contains a broad range of interesting and useful coastal information as well as the tide information. And we have added the conversion times for tides at Penzance, Newquay, Looe and St Ives."

The other content still focuses on the distinctive characteristics of the North Cornwall coastline and includes:

● Tide times and heights;

● Beach safety;

● Lifeguarded beaches;

● Surfing code of conduct;

● Sand dunes;

● Seashore wildlife;

● Rock pooling events;

● Services provided by the council's public spaces team;

● WAVES accredited surf schools;

● Water quality;

● Beach recycling;

● Dog-friendly beaches.

Jolyon added: "This is an invaluable source of information to visitors and residents alike, and it will help people understand North Cornwall beaches and the way the council manages them."

The guide will be on sale at the Boscastle and Tintagel visitor centres, as well as many shops and Tourist Information Centres in North Cornwall. Anyone wishing to sell the guides from their business should contact the council on 01840 250010.