Volunteer store manager Brian Cursley is presented with a certifcate of thanks by lifeboat chiefs

THE manager of Lyme’s harbour-side RNLI gift shop has been honoured for running a record-breaking enterprise.

Brian Cursley today received a certificate confirming his is now the top totally volunteer-run lifeboat store in the UK.

Sales have increased each month during the past two years and the tiny shop is now trading at 54 per cent above 2009 figures.

During that year the shop’s turnover was �100,000 and it was the first of the RNLI’s stores in the southwest to achieve that figure.

By the end of the last summer season takings topped an amazing �127,000.

Mr Cursley, the volunteer manager, received his certificate of thanks from his assistant manager Janet Clayton.

He said: ”I hope my input has been partially responsible for this uplift in sales, but none of it would have been possible without the fantastic support of our dedicated team of volunteers who have enabled the shop to trade most of the year, eight hours a day, seven days a week.

“I must also thank our loyal customers who consider the life-saving service of the RNLI charity worthy of their support.”

More than 40 volunteers give up their time to serve in the shop.