THE sole female volunteer at the lifeboat station in Lyme Regis has become a qualified member of the RNLI sea-going crew.

Nikky Williams, 22, became a probationer crew member in July 2015. She is now celebrating after completing her training last week to become a fully qualified member of the team.

For Ms Williams' final training session at sea, she was marked for her use of the lifeboat's radar system by the RNLI's divisional trainer, Will Elwood.

Ms Williams, who is also a sailing instructor, is looking forward to contributing to the life-saving charity's work at sea.

She said: "I am very pleased to have finished my training to become a fully qualified member of the crew.

"I really enjoy the challenge and look forward to working with the Lyme Regis team and playing my part when we answer emergency calls.”

Senior helm of the Lyme Regis RNLI crew, Tim Edwards, is one of the longest-serving members of the team. He praised Ms Williams for passing her training and hoped it would encourage other women to volunteer for the life-saving charity.

Mr Edwards said: "Nikky has done well in her training and was helped by her experience as a sailing instructor.

"She will be a valuable addition to the crew and we hope her example will encourage more female volunteers to come forward.”

Nikky is only the second female member in the history of the Lyme Regis lifeboat crew. The first was Grace Wadsworth who joined when she was 17 years old in 2008. She left after six years to go to university and travel.

The RNLI has more than 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members at stations around the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and another 3,000 volunteer shore crew members who support them. Lifeguards from the charity also patrol Lyme Regis and West Bay beaches during the summer period.

For more information, please visit rnli.org