LYME Regis Lifeboat Week has raised �16,000, provisional figures have shown. And the successful week was marked with a ceremonial launch of a replica of one of the first lifeboats to be used by the RNLI in 1830.

And the successful week was marked with a ceremonial launch of a replica of one of the first lifeboats to be used by the RNLI in 1830.

Hundreds packed into the harbour to see the launch of the 17ft lerrett, built at the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy by Gail McGarva.

The boat was named Littlesea and the traditional throwing of a bottle of champagne and sea salt marked the occasion. The lerrett was then rowed out of the harbour, with the town’s RNLI lifeboat, Pearl of Dorset, leading the way.

Chairman of the local Guild Rob Michael said: “Times are difficult financially, but as usual everyone was very generous.

“Our figures may be a little lower than last year, but this is the first time in five years that I have not had to rearrange events because of bad weather.”