RNLI rockets return to mark 200th anniversary

Hastings has had a lifeboat station since 1858

Two hundred maroons will be fired into the air above East Sussex to mark the bicentennial of the RNLI.

Maroons - rockets which cause a loud bang when fired - were historically used to call crews to their lifeboat station during an emergency.

The rockets make their return as part of the Hastings Lifeboat Crew concert at The Stade beach on Thursday, featuring sea shanties, folk songs, tap dance routines and a host of other nautical-themed performances.

“We’re really looking to what we hope will be a great day,” said Kevin Boorman, from the RNLI launch authority, Hastings.

The Section 5 Drummers will lead a procession from Butler's Gap to The Stade before the performances begin.

At 18:24 BST - a time marking the date when the RNLI was created - the 200 maroon salute will begin.

There is also an opportunity to speak with the Hastings crew and get up close to the lifeboat in the lifeboat house.

"Our volunteers are passionate about their work and this allows us to showcase their work to the local community," said Mr Boorman.

The festivities mark the start of Hastings old Town Carnival Week, which has moved it opening event forward by two days to incorporate the RNLI’s celebrations.

Maroons are no longer used because it was found there was potential for them to misfire.