BANK holiday revellers are being advised not to take to the seas this weekend as coastguard staff stage a 48-hour strike over pay.

As thousands descend on Dorset for the busiest weekend of the year, tourist chiefs are disappointed visitors are being warned away from the water.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) - including around 50 from Portland and Solent coastguard stations - are set to walk out from 7pm tonight.

It is feared the skeleton cover provided by Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) management could be severely stretched.

With the weather finally set to brighten up, Poole Tourism manager Graham Richardson admitted the timing of the industrial action was "particularly pertinent".

He said: "It is disappointing as we are nearing the end of the summer so people will want to be out on their boats.

"It is a big weekend in the harbour, with the OK national championships and Poole Week going on.

"We just hope people take the necessary precautions to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the coastguard."

The MCA said the action will only involve those responsible for co-ordinating rescues and rescuers will operate as normal.

But the union, who say staff pay levels compared to other emergency services are derisory, warn lives could be at risk.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "We would advise the public to avoid taking to the sea for non-essential activities."

Peter Cardy, MCA chief executive, advised people to take extra care in the water.

He said: "I am encouraging everybody working or playing on the sea or on the beach this weekend to heed our safety advice."

Mr Cardy ensured the public distress calls would be answered as normal.

Five days of industrial action have already taken placed at the UK's rescue co-ordination centres this year.

The PCS claim staff have experienced real-terms pay cuts, with average pay rises of around 2.5 per cent.