THE youngest crew member of the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat surprised one of the town’s oldest residents as she celebrated her 102nd birthday.

Pete Cable, 18, a sixth form pupil at the Woodroffe School, represented the lifeboat crew as a special visitor to Molly Raison’s party.

He presented her with chocolates, flowers and a card signed by many of the RNLI volunteers at the party in Bymead House, Charmouth, where she is now a resident.

Molly was a RNLI supporter for many years, working in the charity’s shop and knitting and organising events to raise funds for the lifeboat.

She was also a trader in the town, running the West Dorset Shoe Shop in Broad Street for more than 40 years.

Born and bred in Lyme Regis, Molly is the last surviving of eight children.

She said: “It has been a lovely birthday with family and friends and it was a delight to meet the youngest crew member of the lifeboat.

“I asked him if he would take me for a trip in the boat and he said he would ask the boss!”