Eastbourne and Brighton lifeboats rescue hundreds

Eastbourne's lifeboat was launched 128 times in 2011

An East Sussex lifeboat helped 123 people in 2011, according to figures from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Eastbourne's lifeboat was called out 128 times during the year, making it the fourth busiest station in the UK.

Brighton lifeboat helped 114 people in trouble and Littlehampton lifeboat went to the assistance of 82 people in 2011.

There are also RNLI lifeboat stations at Rye Harbour, Hastings, Newhaven, Shoreham and Selsey.

Almost 8,000 people were rescued from around the coast of the UK and Ireland last year, the organisation said.