Volunteers who operate the lifeboat in Lyme Regis are launching the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year in the town by hosting a public meeting.

The meeting, on January 18th, has been called by the Lyme Regis lifeboat management group (LMG) and among the speakers will be representatives of local coastguards, police and fire and ambulance services.

Chairman of the LMG Mark Houghton said: “We have just had a record year with 55 calls for the lifeboat – including the first ever on a Christmas Day – and at the start of the RNLI anniversary year we thought it important to bring our emergency service friends together and invite the public with their questions.

“Many of the emergency calls we receive involve these other services as well, so, as we celebrate the RNLI anniversary with many events in the town, we thought it would be a good opportunity to explain our various roles and listen to the views of those people we all serve.”

A programme of events is being planned by both the lifeboat crew and the lifeboat supporters group throughout the year, including Lifeboat Week, which this year starts on July 27th.

The public meeting is being held in the Lyme Regis Football Club clubhouse on Charmouth Road starting at 7pm. Liquid refreshments will be available.