Jet-propelled personal watercraft could be banned from a beach as posing skiers put swimmers' lives at risk.

The skiers were targeted by extra lifeguards and seafront officers yesterday.

Skiers and motor boats have two allocated lanes from Hove shoreline in which to make their way out to sea, ensuring they do not mow down swimmers.

However, during the Bank Holiday weekend, lifeguards noticed up to 12 skiers at one time speeding past swimmers in the shallows instead of staying in their allocated lanes.

Assistant seafront officer Richard Pearce said: "Skiers can do a lot of damage because they don't stick inside their lanes. They are mainly posing to people on the beach and showing off.

"Although we have lifeguards here and a patrol boat, we can't spend all day down here. We've got more than eight miles of beach to keep an eye on.

"This area has become a problem and we are trying to get the police involved. But the police have to wait until the skiers come back to shore before reprimanding them.

"We've got extra coastguards and two extra seafront officers here today to try to tell them off when they come back in but it's difficult catching them.

"We've had a lot of complaints from members of the public who are worried when they're swimming. Some of the skiers are doing about 60mph in the shallows. They spoil if for everyone else.

"They are breaking the law and putting the public at risk."

Mr Pearce and his colleagues are thinking of reviewing the bylaws which allow jet-propelled craft to use the two lanes near King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove.

He said: "We can look at the situation, take away the lanes altogether and make it a completely boat-free zone near the shore. We will be reviewing it if we have any more problems."

Gary Cohen, a lifeguard, agreed the skiers were becoming a danger.

He said: "There's going to be an accident eventually if they don't start behaving themselves. They want to come into shore and show off near the swimmers."