THE newly-opened Charmouth National Coastwatch (NCI) lookout received a welcome donation of £150 from Charmouth’s Nisa store.

The money was awarded from Nisa’s ‘Making a Difference Locally’ initiative, which supports local good causes.

The cheque was handed over by the store owner, Maria Tritton, to Mike Seaman, the Charmouth Coastwatch lookout manager, (pictured).

The funds had been earmarked to buy an essential marine VHF handheld radio.

The Charmouth lookout began operations on Sunday May 29.

The new facility, which is based in a Napoleonic-era lookout close to the Charmouth Heritage Centre, acts as an outstation to NCI Lyme Bay’s main lookout at Hive Beach. It will complement and enhance Lyme Bay’s existing capabilities and provide trained watchkeeper coverage on a popular part of the coast. It is the first outstation of its kind within the NCI nationally.

Initially, Charmouth will operate single watch periods at weekends and bank holidays, from 11am until 3pm.

This will eventually be extended to two watches with the long-term objective of operating on weekdays too.

Much will also depend upon recruiting and training more volunteers. The Charmouth lookout is opening with a one-year probation assessment period and, if successful, this could become a more permanent facility.