Lifeguards saved dozens of bodyboarders and swimmers from the grip of deadly riptides in dramatic scenes at some of the Westcountry's most popular beaches.

The strong currents threatened to drag many people away from the shoreline, leaving some struggling to fight their way through the fierce surf.

Rescue teams saved 40 people at Woolacombe Beach in North Devon after swimmers and surfers were caught in the rip current in one of the busiest days on record for RNLI lifeguards patrolling the popular stretch of sand.

Lifeguards launched another 35 rescue missions at nearby Croyde beach, where similar conditions left many bodyboarders and surfers struggling in the rips and big surf.

Lifeguards helped a total of 80 people who got into difficulties in the water at Woolacombe Beach on the Bank Holiday Monday.

In all, RNLI lifeguards brought 120 people to safety on Devon's beaches and a further 35 at beaches in Cornwall.

At the time of the incident at Woolacombe Beach about 13,000 people were there, including numerous bodyboarders and surfers taking advantage of the 4-6ft waves. Lifeguards spotted the rip current at about 12pm and immediately dashed into the water with rescue boards.

They paddled their way towards the stricken group and got them to cling on until the RNLI inshore rescue boat picked them up.

Malcolm Watson was out surfing when he got caught up in the rip current. He said: "The current pulls you down and away from the shoreline. It was really pretty scary to be honest."

Ben Watson, who was also surfing, added: "It was really quite frightening. It really grabs you and pulls you out and to the side."

It took several trips before all 40 swimmers and surfers were back on dry land.

Incredibly, no one was injured or needed medical attention during the frantic 20-minute operation.

A riptide, or rip current, is caused when wind and waves push water towards the shore and create inward tidal pressure further along the coast.

Robbie Lamb, RNLI lifeguard supervisor at Woolacombe Beach, said: "We've had a pretty unstable beach with the rip currents moving around depending on the state of the tide.

"The lifeguards have been extremely vigilant and have moved the bathing flags in response to the changing conditions.

"Thankfully no one has been in serious trouble or hurt.

"There's no way of predicting a rip current.

"It won't drag you all the way out to sea but will take you out 50 metres from the beach maximum.

"The worst thing you can do is try to swim against it because the current will simply tire you out.

"The best thing to do is swim parallel to the beach for around 20 metres and then you'll be able to come in safely. Or simply raise one hand in the air and the lifeguards will see you and come out."

Eight RNLI lifeguards were on duty at the time when the drama unfolded along with two voluntary lifeguards from the Woolacombe Lifesaving Club.

The beach is no stranger to testing conditions.

In May, quick-thinking lifeguards averted another potential Bank Holiday disaster when they rescued a group of children caught up in a rip current.

Vaughan Lawson, RNLI area lifeguard manager for North Devon, said: "As usual we experience most incidents around low tide as the water moves round the sandbanks to create rip currents."

The rescue operation is not dissimilar to one which took place in Cornwall in 2005.

On August 8 that year, dozens of parents and children were left fighting for their lives after a freak tide surged through the beach at Perranporth.

A team of lifeguards used rescue boats and boards and a Jet Ski to drag more than 30 people to safety after the waves tore sand from under the paddlers' feet.

Incidents in Cornwall were comparatively low because of a lack of northerly winds with only beaches in the north of the county experiencing rip currents.