Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade given North Tyneside freedom

The brigade's watch house displays artefacts, pictures and relics from old shipwrecks

Members of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade are being given the freedom of the borough of North Tyneside.

The brigade, which is entirely funded by donations, was started in 1864 after two ship wrecks killed 32 people.

North Tyneside Council will give members the authority's highest possible accolade as a thank you.

Councillor Tommy Mulvenna said the brigade had served the town with "distinction and valour" for 150 years.

The brigade, which supports the RNLI in Tynemouth, attends about 120 incidents a year and runs a free museum at Spanish battery in the town.

The members, all of whom are unpaid, are trained in rope and water rescues, coastal searching and first aid.