A FORMER army chief has joined the RNLI lifeboat crew in Lyme Regis.

Mike McAlpine, 61, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the Royal Engineers has joined the charity as a Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) – at Lyme Regis lifeboat station.

Mr McAlpine served in several trouble spots including Kuwait, where he commanded a construction squad involved in the restoration of essential facilities to Kuwait City immediately after the unsuccessful invasion by Iraq, and the clean-up of unexploded bombs and landmines.

The new recruit is a charter civil engineer and graduate of Queen's University in Belfast. He spent 20 years with the Royal Engineers, had two spells in the Falkland Islands and commanded a regiment in Northern Ireland for three years, before he became the technical authority for UK counter landmine warfare.

Mr McAlpine, who lives in Lyme Regis, is a keen sailor with his Yachtmaster ticket.

He said: "I spent a lot of time on the water and it was always comforting to know the RNLI was there if necessary.

"Since I missed the camaraderie of the military, I thought I would offer my voluntary services to the RNLI and I am thoroughly enjoying it.”

Mr McAlpine, married to Karen with three daughters, moved to Lyme Regis from Dalwood, near Axminster, in 2014.

His last job was with BP in Iraq where he was involved in opening up the second largest oilfield in the world at Rumaila, south of Basra.

A member of Lyme Regis Golf Club, Mr McAlpine is also the chairman of the Axminster Hospital Community hub steering group and he was a founder member of the Axminster Patient Group.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Nick Marks is pleased Mr McAlpine is joining the Lyme Regis RNLI team.

He said: “We welcome Mike to the management team.

"His wealth of experience will be an asset, and his arrival has added even more strength to the Lyme Regis crew.”