100-year-old RNLI brochure donated to Somerset charity

Black and white images in the booklet show the crew celebrating the RNLI's 100th anniversary at a black-tie dinner

A 100-year-old brochure promoting the RNLI has been donated to a charity shop.

The booklet dates back to 1924 and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the organisation.

The lifeboat station in Burnham-on-Sea was established in 1836, with the charity shop on the high street helping to raise funds for the organisation.

Workers in the North Somerset shop plan to use it in displays, to celebrate the "amazing history" of the RNLI.

Since it was first established in 1824, the brave volunteers at the RNLI have saved more than 144,000 lives at sea.

The booklet is deteriorating slightly, and shows signs of damp from its 100-year-old history

The first lifeboat to launch in Burnham-on-Sea was called The Cheltenham, a 32ft (9.7m) wooden vessel powered by 10 oars and the strength of the crew.

Nowadays, the current RNLI station, which sits adjacent to the launch jetty on Pier Street, operates two high-tech powered inshore lifeboats.

Designed to be quick and manoeuvrable, inflatable inshore lifeboats can operate in shallow water and near cliffs, meaning crews can get as close as possible to those in trouble.

Gail Wheeler, who works at the RNLI charity shop in Burnham, said she believes the antique document symbolises how important the service has always been.

Sarah Hand (left) and Gail Wheeler (right) said they plan to keep the brochure as a display item

"A gentleman brought it in," she said. "He'd picked it up in a charity shop and thought that we could use it.

"I think it's very important, it reminds everybody that we have been here a long time, and that we still do the same job.

"I've always lived in Burnham and I know how dangerous our sea is. Our crew are amazing, they are very brave volunteers," she added.

The brochure was brought to the charity shop wrapped in clingfilm and kept in a plastic bag to protect its fragile condition.

Even 200 years on, the emergency service still relies on volunteers and is funded entirely by donations and the sale of merchandise from charity shops like these.

However, Sarah Hand, who also works at the charity shop, said they have no plans to sell this one.