TWO babies made it into the history books with Lyme Regis lifeboat station at the weekend.

For the first time in its 190 year history the lifeboat station was the scene of a double christening.

The town’s vicar the Rev Jane Skinner conducted a christening service for six months old Lottie and five-year-old Millie-Rose, the children of RNLI volunteer helmsman Elliott Herbert and his wife Laura.

The service was conducted in the boathouse with a congregation of some 70 family, friends and lifeboat crew members.

It is thought to be the first time a christening service has been held at any of the town’s lifeboat stations since the lifeboat service began in Lyme Regis in 1826.

A ship’s bell, which has hung in the lifeboat station since it opened in 1997, was used as a font during the service.

The bell, from a 100,000 ton oil tanker, was presented to Fred Day, former honorary secretary at the lifeboat station, when he retired from BP.

He in turn presented it to the RNLI to mark the opening of the Lyme Regis lifeboat station.

Proud dad Elliott Herbert said: “Lifeboats and lifeboat people have been such an important part of our lives that Laura and I thought it would be appropriate, and great fun, to hold the christening at the lifeboat station surrounded by many of the people who are vital to the success of the work of the RNLI.”

The Rev Jane Skinner said it was a lovely and unique event to be part of.

She said: : “It was a joy to conduct the service at the lifeboat station, and it was the first time I had used a magnificent ship’s bell as a font.”

God parents to Millie-Rose are Lyme Regis lifeboat helm Murray Saunders, Oliver Mallinson, Operations Manager (Lifeboats) at RNLI headquarters in Poole, and Emma Darke.

God parents to Lottie are William Elwood, helm with the Tower lifeboat in London and crew Assessor/Trainer and Nicola Davis and Gemma Dunford.