THOUSANDS flocked to Lyme Regis as the annual lifeboat week got off to a sunny start.

Without the regular Red Arrows display during this year's charity week, visitors and locals were able to enjoy a host of events at the weekend.

Revellers enjoyed sunny conditions as the first major display involved the town's lifeboat, the Spirit of Loch Fyne, as well as the Shannon-class lifeboat based at Exmouth along with the coastguard helicopter. The lifeboats staged a winching exercise, before showing off the pace and manoeuvrability in front of spectators.

Also performing on Saturday were the Eastern Promise dancers, who entertained a large audience on Marine Parade.

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Eastern Promise performing on Marine Parade

On Saturday evening, a team of Lyme Regis firefighters won the bathtub race for a sixth successive year.

Seven bathtubs set out from Cobb Gate, aiming for the finish in the harbour. The Colyton Butchers bathtub, with a crew of three - Sarah Bolton and her son Dan and daughter Chloe, started to drift some distance from the finish. The RNLI lifeboat crew members in their bathtub, decided to tow the butchers using a rope of bunting. All three members of the Bolton family chose to swim the rest of the way, with Dan clinging to the tub. Mrs Bolton received brief treatment once ashore.

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The Colyton Butchers tub being towed by the RNLI

Dan Bolton said: "We started to drift quite badly, and we were pleased the lifeboat crew helped us out.

"I think we might have a bigger crew next time."

The firefighters were presented with the Perry Marine cup by Enid Perry and second prize prize went to Axe Skip, whose bathtub was made from the contents of several skips.

In third place were Sink and Swim and taking fourth place was Kersbrook Banger/Chaos with the lifeboat crew fifth, towing Colyton Butchers. Seventh place went to the bathtub called Heavy Treble.

On Sunday, Hannah Moses won the fun run, which was open to those aged between 16 and 64 years old - while Paul Atterbury of Antiques Roadshow fame, gave a talk on the history of the RNLI, the achievements of Victorian Britain as well as speaking about life behind the scenes of the BBC programme.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

The annual Lifeboat Week fun run took place on Sunday

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Paul Atterbury who presented the fun run medals with winner Hannah Moses

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

A winching display by the RNLI and coastguard helicopter

On Tuesday, RAF Puma helicopters will fly past Lyme Regis, following a play past at 11.30am by the Royal Navy Merlin helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton.