LYME REGIS Lifeboat Week gets underway on Saturday and it’s a welcome return to a full programme of events.

The ever popular duck race returns with visitors able to secure their plastic duck online. The race is held in honour of Irene Roper who organised Lyme Regis lifeboat week for many years.

On Wednesday, July 27th a grand auction will be held at the lifeboat station in order to raise much needed funds for the RNLI.

Organisers expect “frenetic bidding” with lots set to include a table for two at Mark Hix’s Oyster and Fish House, a tour of Palmers Brewery and a family fishing trip on the Marie F.

A freefall parachute team from the British Army’s Red Devils will return to Lyme Regis with a spectacular display along the main beach on Thursday. The showcase will take place from 3pm with the landing area along the beach set to be cleared from 1.30pm.

New to this year’s event is a pirate themed day on the Friday. Activities will include fancy dress competitions, a treasure hunt, sandcastle competitions,, the return of the popular tug o’ war competition that takes place across the harbour mouth, and, of course, ending with a pirate-theme party at Lyme Regis Brewery.

A pub landlord who has gone above and beyond to help Ukraine since the Russian invasion will be opening this year’s Lifeboat Week.

Tom Littledyke, who runs the Shave Cross Cellar bar and Antonio’s Italian taverna in Lyme Regis, will kick things off at a ceremony at 1.30pm on Saturday, July 23 outside Lyme Regis lifeboat station.

He said: “I am a great admirer of the work the volunteers of the RNLI do and the amazing amounts donated since the 1970s during the very successful lifeboat weeks held in Lyme Regis

“I am looking forward to my involvement this year.”

Full details on all events, the lifeboat crew and work of the RNLI are available in the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Week programme, now available in local outlets for £2, or download the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week app from the App Store or Google Play.