SEA cadets celebrated the launch of a new pulling boat in West Bay as part of Sea Sunday.

Bridport Cadets held the event at West Bay on Sunday (10) - naming the new vessel, Tallyho, selected by sponsors Palmers Brewery.

Sea Sunday is celebrated all over the world - allowing churches to come together to remember seafarers and pray for them, their families and those who support them.

The sea cadets' new boat was blessed by Rev Pete Stone at West Bay, while the naming of the boat was carried out by Anna Woodhouse, widow of the group's late chairman Barry Woodhouse.

Ray Hawgood, unit manager and committee chairman of Bridport Sea Cadets, said: "Palmers Brewery kindly gave us a donation of £1,000.

"Palmers wanted to name it and they named it Tallyho after one of their famous beers and it was emblazoned on the boat.

"It was a fantastic day. Our sponsors thoroughly enjoyed the day and everybody had a brilliant time. The total cost of the boat was £3,200, raised by some fundraising and we had the donation from Palmers and the Frutiers Association and a donation from the Royal Naval Association."

The Bridport Sea Cadets is currently open to new members and is "desperately short" of sponsors and volunteers.

Mr Hawgood added: "What we are desperately short of is the sponsors.

"We need people to come and help us as instructors or unit assistants. We are getting there slowly. When you think where we were a year ago when the unit was set for closure, it has come a long way in 12 months."

He added: "We now have an extra boat. We had one but with the numbers we have got now, when we go and crew the boat, there is only four in a boat at a time.

"When they go rowing which is near enough every Tuesday at the moment, then it gives them more opportunities to get out on the boat.

"The sea cadets is based on the navy and the traditions around the navy. A lot of emphasis is put on water activities. We have some cadets going away at the end of this month on PS Royalist. We have another couple of cadets going away on insured powered vessels. We arrange a lot for them and keep them happy.

"We now have the two pulling boats and we also have a three of sailing boats and canoes and a motor powered boat."

Bridport Sea Cadets is based at its headquarters at Plottingham playing fields. There has been a unit in the town since 1964. For more information, please visit sea-cadets.org/bridport