Organisers of Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis are ‘delighted’ after raising a total of £34,000 in seven days.

Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RNLI lifesaving charity since the 1970s came to an end on August 1.

Treasurer Brian Cursley said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with this very respectable result which will go a long way towards helping the RNLI’s pledge to save lives at sea.’

Newly appointed RNLI CEO Peter Sparkes visited the lifeboat station and presented Mr Cursley with his 20-year-long service volunteer medal.

A spokesman from Lyme Regis RNLI said: "Sunshine all week saw the resort town packed from day one when the event was officially opened by TV personality Jules Hudson, presenter of the BBC series Escape to the Country. Time-honoured events such as the duck race on the River Lym, the bathtub crews paddling from Cobb Gate to the harbour and the fun run along the seafront all played their part in a successful week. And there were many other highlights ranging from the opportunity to meet the lifeboat crew aboard their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne to scoring a goal past the charity’s mascot Stormy Stan. ‘Conger Cuddling’ also returned to the schedule this year after a long absence."

Chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth supporters Ken Lavery said: ‘It was a superb week and yet again we thank the many thousands who gave so generously to our charity. Visitors, residents and businesses all supported our week, and many told us they loved both the old favourites and the new events.

‘I would also pay tribute to all those volunteers – the supporters and the lifeboat crew – who worked tirelessly before and during the week to make those seven days such a success.’