THE DUKE of Kent visited Lyme Regis – praising boat builders and RNLI volunteers.

His Royal Highness, along with the Lord Lieutenant for Dorset Angus Campbell, enjoyed a tour of the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy, before visiting Lyme Regis Gig Club and the RNLI station.

Lifeboat crew met the Duke of Kent – after Lyme Regis RNLI operations manager Grahame Forshaw showed off the station and inshore lifeboat, The Spirit of Loch Fyne.

”He was very appreciative about the crew’s efforts in being lifeboat men” said Mr Forshaw. “He was interested in the local area, interested in the tourism trade and he’s aware of the main part of the core business in saving lives.

“As he said, this is one of the only lifeboat stations where there aren’t any professional seamen on the crew.

“It was nice to meet him again and he thanked us for all the hard work that the lads do.”

Mayor of Lyme Regis Sally Holman said the town is very proud of the RNLI crew.

“It was a great honour to welcome the Duke of Kent to Lyme Regis” she said. “We had a wonderful background with the Gig Club and the RNLI crew – and the Duke was so interested in the lifeboats and the boat-building.

“We’ve got a vibrant crew with young members. The RNLI here is doing very well and we are very proud of it.”

The Duke also visited the RNLI shop, and asked staff what the most popular items for sale are.

“It was very exciting” said RNLI shop volunteer Gwyneth Barker .“He asked us what is the best selling item, and it is the plastic boats – we sell thousands of them in the summer.

“He was very interested in what we do and asked us about how much time we spend volunteering, so it was nice to feel appreciated.”

His Royal Highness visited the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy after Gail McGarva, a former student, was recognised last year for her services to heritage crafts and clinker boat building by receiving an MBE.

Boat Building Academy principal, Yvonne Green said: “He paid us a visit because Gail’s story started right here.

“He was very interested in how our wood and boat-building skills are being carried into the 21st century.

“We were thrilled to have him here and delighted to show him our unique way of training people in boat building and wood working skills.”