RNLI crews mark 160 years with church service

The service at St James' Church will bring together crews past and present

Members of Poole lifeboat station are set to mark the station's 160th anniversary with a special church service.

Held at St James' Church in the heart of Poole, it will bring together crews past and present.

The service will include a version of Eternal Father Strong to Save, which features a special new verse dedicated to lifeboat crews.

Led by the Right Reverend Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury, the service on Saturday at 16:00 GMT will also celebrate the end of the RNLI's 200th year.

Poole lifeboat station's first crew and boat in 1865

Ahead of the service, Anne-Marie Clark from the station said: "It is a privilege to be able to help people when they really need us, we can only do this with the support of our families and community.

"The service will also be a reflection, a pause to give thanks to them and the volunteers who came before and the ones that will follow after."

Poole was the first lifeboat station to be established in Dorset.

Set up in 1865 for £210, the station originally had 24 crew working with a 32ft (10m) lifeboat.

Based on Poole Quay, the lifeboat station currently operates two inshore lifeboats - a B class Atlantic and a D class.

The town, home of the RNLI's headquarters, saw a 40-boat flotilla form a mile-long parade in May as part of celebration to mark the charity's 200th anniversary.