DOZENS lined the slipway in the sunshine at the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis on Sunday to join the annual Blessing of the Boats service.

The inter-denominational service, hosted by local clergy the Rev Chris Woodman and the Rev Keith Vivian, acknowledges and blesses those who go to sea professionally, or for fun, and remembers those who have lost their lives to the waves.

Representatives of the town’s gig, sailing, and powerboat clubs took an active part in the service along with the volunteer lifeboat crew.

A poem written and read to the congregation by 11-year-old Millie-Jade Ellis, daughter of recent lifeboat recruit Mark Ellis, drew appreciative applause.

Woodroffe School pupil Millie called her poem ‘What the Sea Means to Me.

She wrote: ‘The sea feeds me and excites me.

It can take me to new countries aboard a ship.

Sailing away on a really long trip.

The sea is fun but sometimes rough.

This is when I need to be careful and not act tough.

If I am ever in trouble.

Call the lifeboat at the double.

So do not be afraid just be safe at sea.

That is what the sea means to me.’

The service ended with the local club members and the Royal British Legion presenting wreaths to the lifeboat crew who then took the wreaths aboard the lifeboat to be laid at sea.

=