THE crew of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis sent out their own Mayday call this week – to trace former crew members for a special reunion.

The plan is to invite as many ex-RNLI volunteers as possible to join in the celebrations of 150 years of a lifeboat service in the town.

After much research, organisers of the event have traced the names of more than 100 people who served either as sea-going or shore crew.

Some have sadly passed on but it is hoped up to 70 people can come when the 150th anniversary is officially recognised during Lifeboat Week on July 28.

Lifeboat operations manager Grahame Forshaw said: “We are very keen to mark the anniversary properly and to invite everyone who helped us reach this milestone.

“Invitations will be sent to as many people as possible but addresses may have changed so we are asking anyone interested in attending on July 28 to get in touch.”

The numbers to ring to ensure an invitation are 07769 655362 or 07974 268504.

The anniversary event will be hosted in a marquee on the slipway by Michael Vlasto, operations director of the RNLI, who will present the Lyme Regis crew with a framed vellum.

Four members of the crew in 1979 will have plenty of reason to recall their service with the Lyme Regis lifeboat.

Helmsman John Hodder and his crew Paul Wason, Graham Turner and Colin Jones – who is still a volunteer – rescued four people from the yacht White Kitten in storm force conditions and were all recognised for their courage.