One of the longest-serving members of the volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat, in Lyme Regis, has retired because of work commitments.

Dave Street, 48, served for 22 years, starting as trainee shore crew and becoming one of the team of helmsmen 15 years ago.

He joined the crew for two main reasons. He was working as a barman in the Cobb Arms when he overheard crew members saying they were short of volunteers.

The other reason was more personal. Dave said: “A cousin of mine drowned at Bournemouth and I thought if there was anything I could do to prevent such accidents then joining the RNLI was it.”

Dave, a self-employed builder, added: “I shall miss taking the lifeboat out, and the camaraderie with the crew, but I won’t lose touch.”

Dave’s last duty was helping with safety at the Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day. His lifeboat colleagues gave him a thoroughly wet send-off with a ceremonial dunking in the sea.