Hunstanton hovercraft commander speaks of tearing across the mudflats

Charlie Parfitt has been at Hunstanton lifeboat for about 10 years

A woman thought to be the only female rescue hovercraft commander in the UK said there was "no better feeling" than bringing someone in trouble back to their family.

Charlie Parfitt moved to Hunstanton nearly 10 years ago and joined the RNLI after attending an open day.

The first aid trainer and theatre technician said she was most at home tearing across Norfolk's mudflats.

"When the pager goes off you get that heart stopping moment," she said.

"But then your training kicks in."

Since starting out, Ms Parfitt moved up the ranks to become a pilot for the station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, and commander and pilot of the Hunstanton Flier hovercraft.

The 35-year-old said: "It's a lot different to driving a boat. It does feel like flying. The smallest movement can really affect the craft.

"As commander you oversee management of the craft. You are helping the pilot and pointing out things they may not be able to see.

"In this part of the country there are big tides. When people get stranded on the sandbanks, the hovercraft really is the quickest and most efficient way to rescue them.

"There's no better feeling than going out and bringing someone back home to their family, back to safety."

The hovercraft can travel across the mudflats of north Norfolk at speeds of up to 35mph (56kph)

On the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, she said she was proud to be a part of its history.

"A lot has changed, from launching wooden boats with horses to the amazing kit we have now to keep us safe, but the fundamentals are the same. It's still run by experienced volunteers wanting to give up their time to help people," she said.

"The sea has to have respect. Things can go wrong, and go wrong very quickly, so to have the RNLI there is so valuable."