LYME Regis lifeboat volunteer John 'Birdie' Bird has come to the end of his 12 years as a sea-going crew member.

John, a self-employed builder, will be 50 this weekend and has to retire because of RNLI regulations.

He took the helm of the town's lifeboat during Sunday's training session as he and colleagues marked his retirement.

John said: “I have loved every minute of my volunteer activities and I will miss going to sea.

"But I certainly won't be giving up entirely. I shall continue to use my experience as a member of the shore-based team.”