The name of Lyme's new lifeboat

The Pearl of Dorset will be replaced by The Spirit of Loch Fyne after the restaurant chain that paid for her

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LYME Regis’ new lifeboat has been given a Scottish name.

The replacement for The Pearl of Dorset will be known as Spirit of Loch Fyne, after the restaurant chain that raised funds to build her.

The company collected donations towards the £180,000 boat with events involving staff and customers throughout the UK.

Every one of the chain’s 42 seafood restaurants took part in the fundraising efforts, which started in January 2007 and has already raised in excess of £105,000 with money still coming in.

Spirit of Loch Fyne, an Atlantic 85 class, will replace the smaller Atlantic 75 lifeboat, which has served Lyme Regis since 1997.

The new boat is due to arrive in the resort after sea trials early in March.

Liz Wiliams, Operations Director of Loch Fyne Restaurants said: “The Spirit of Loch Fyne represents the successful culmination of fund-raising by Loch Fyne Restaurants.

“From sea food festivals to gourmet charity dinners, Loch Fyne Restaurant staff and customers have really got behind the RNLI appeal.

“We are absolutely delighted that their hard work and generosity have resulted in this fine lifeboat.

“Loch Fyne restaurants wish her volunteer crew good luck in all their endeavours.”

The RNLI will be staging an official naming ceremony later this year.