Plans are being finalised for one of the biggest events in a town's calendar.

For more than 40 years, Lyme Lifeboat Week has been one of the highlights of summer in Lyme Regis, drawing thousands of holidaymakers to the town.

It all started as a lifeboat day back in 1965, but it soon became clear there was a strong potential for a much bigger celebration for all the family at the height of summer.

On average, in recent years, Lyme Lifeboat Week has raised some £30,000 for the RNLI to help achieve its aim as the charity that saves lives at sea.

Plans for this year’s event are now being finalised. Sadly, there will be no Red Arrows again because of costs, but instead the Army’s parachute display team, the Red Devils, will be dropping in.

And there are a number of new events, some of which will run all week. The incredibly successful 'water or wine' stall will return, where lucky dippers stand the chance of winning one type of liquid beverage or another. Ducks will be on sale every day for the ever-popular duck race and, throughout the week, there’s a chance to win a prize of a three-night stay in a Lyme Regis chalet with sea views.

The Lyme Regis RNLI Challenge will involve navigating a course around the town, solving clues along the way. Also running every day will be a raffle-style competition to name the dog made out of worn-out RNLI yellow wellies which stands outside the lifeboat shop. A draw will take place every day in the lifeboat shop.

Two of the country’s top auctioneers, who have been star attractions at recent lifeboat weeks, are returning this year, but in different roles.

Instead of an auction, Simon Watson, managing director of Lyme Bay Auctions, and his colleague Harry Ballin will be holding a valuation day at the lifeboat station.

Simon said:”We will be offering appraisals of jewellery, watches, silver,gold,antiques, collectables, artwork, in fact anything old and interesting.”

The RNLI’s 'Respect the Water' campaign, which focuses on preventing drownings, will be featured when lifeboat crew members demonstrate the floating technique which aims to show how, not panicking and simply floating, can save a life when someone accidentally falls into the water.

On the first day of the week there will be the traditional display by the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew who will be joined by their colleagues from Exmouth and their Shannon-class lifeboat, as well as the coastguard helicopter from St Athan.

Full details with dates and timings of all events will appear in the official Lyme Lifeboat Week programme, due to be published soon.

Lyme Lifeboat will will take place between July 28-August 3.