IT'S that time of the year again ­— the annual, but unofficial ­— St Helens and Bembridge fort walk returns on Saturday.

The event ­— in which walkers travel from St Helens and Bembridge, to a fort only accessible during an especially low tide ­— attracts hundreds of people every year.

The recommended time to begin the walk is at around 6.45pm ­— 30 minutes before the point of the lowest tide at 7.18pm.

The walk is expected to take around 30 minutes to complete, and there are two routes to and from the fort.

The first route begins at Old Church, St Helens, and involves a walk along a narrow causeway, and is described as the dryer of the two routes.

The second route ­— from Silver Sands, Bembridge ­— is a degree wetter, and walkers should expect the water to reach above their waists.

Last year, two children almost drowned walking back from St Helens Fort when they fell into some deep holes in the Bembridge Channel.

In the build up to the event, Bembridge RNLI has released a number of safety tips for would be walkers.

A spokesperson for Bembridge RNLI said: "The local sand and gravel extractor leaves very large holes, so please keep to the path and don't stray away.

"There will be lots of children, lots of dogs, and lots of families, so please look after the people that go with you.

"Don't wear flip flops ­— it can be very slippery.

"If you get into trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

"Above all else, enjoy yourselves, and respect the water."

The walk can also be attempted later in the month, on August 31.