Withernsea's new state-of-the-art lifeboat has been officially named at a ceremony in town this weekend.

The lifeboat was donated by the Henley-on-Thames branch of the RNLI who ran a year long campaign to raise £31,000 to replace the worn-out 'Brian and Margaret Wiggins lifeboat'. Thanks to them, the Withernsea station now has a new D-Class boat, which has taken the name 'Henley Eight' from the popular Eights class of rowing race at the famous Henley Royal Regatta, as well as the fact the fundraising committee had eight members.

The vessel was given a service of dedication carried out by the Reverend John Brown and named 'Henley Eight' by Joyce Walden from the Oxfordshire branch of the organisation.

Although the lifeboat has only just been named, it has already carried out 7 rescues in the North Sea since February 2009.

Related Links:

• RNLI website.