LYME Regis Gig Club hosted the Emergency Services Gig Race, raising funds for Lyme Regis RNLI.

The three competing emergency service crews were from Lyme Regis RNLI, Charmouth Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard, all of whom took to their oars to challenge the gig club crew.

The four crews had trained hard over the last few months, determined to make the inaugural race a real competition.

And the weather on the day was ideal with plenty of sun and a helpful breeze blowing from the east.

The sea was calm and crowds gathered on the North Wall, the sea front and the Cobb to see the contest.

Each of the four gigs had a large flag flying from their sterns, with orange for the RNLI, red for the emergency services, blue for the Coastguard and white for Lyme Regis Gig Club.

The start line was off East Cliff and course around 0.8 miles long, finishing at the North Wall.

As the flag was raised the Coastguard team got off to an excellent start and maintained their lead to the finish.

A valiant effort and much pre-race practice earned the firemen of Charmouth emergency services second place. Lyme Regis RNLI third were third while Lyme Regis Gig Club laboured home in fourth.

A club spokesman said: “The crew were aware that they would have to work harder in rowing Revenge, a heavier fibreglass boat, but were not prepared for the problem of a mislaid rudder. “Nevertheless, it was a fun day, enjoyed by participants and a huge number of spectators on the beach.”

The Challenge Cup, sponsored by the Harbour Inn, was presented by Gig Club chairman Marcus Dixon to Nick Beale, team leader for the Lyme Regis Coastguard team.

They proved to be worthy winners of the first challenge race, which is now going to be contested every year as part of Lifeboat week.