PLANS have now been finalised for this year’s Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis - thought to be the 44th consecutive year of the event in the town.

The detailed programme will be published towards the end of this month, and despite the absence of the Red Arrows, organisers are promising a week full of fun and interest for all the family.

Among the highlights on day one, July 23, is the hotly-contested bathtub race, which was won for the fifth year running in 2015 by Dorset Fire and Rescue.

Town Crier Alan Vian credited the firefighters with a ‘world record’ time of eleven and a half minutes.

However, organisers of the week, the RNLI Guild, are expecting more entries this year and plenty of determination from crews to take the title from the record breakers.

One Guild member said: “The firefighters have had a good run, but it is now time for another crew to show them a clean pair of heels.”

Local fire chief Virgil Turner said:”We feel we can beat anyone, but of course any other crew is welcome to try and stop us. However, we have a plan A and a plan B, and they do not involve smuggling an engine on board.”

A talk by Paul Atterbury of the BBC’s Antiques Road Show will feature at Uplyme village hall on the second day, and tickets at £3 and £1.50 will be on sale at the lifeboat shop from July 4.

On Monday July 25 the produce stall on Marine Parade will include judging for the Great Lyme Regis Bake Off Competition, in which entrants have made lifeboat-themed cakes.

A highlight on Tuesday is the grand auction at the lifeboat station.

This was a huge success last year with the first appearance of a comedy duo of professional auctioneers, Simon Watson from Lyme Bay Auctions and Harry Ballin, from Windsor.

Lots include a rug from Axminster carpets and a £100 voucher for Mark Hix’s Oyster and Fish restaurant. The week includes the duck race, tug ‘o war across the harbour mouth and yard of ale.