Hundreds at lifeboat naming ceremony
Michael Vlasto, retired former operations director of the RNLI, did the naming honours before coxswain Gary Bird and mechanic Martin Jaggs poured Champagne over the bow of the £2.2m Shannon craft.
It has been named after an RNLI supporter from Winchester whose bequest covered much of its cost.
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Hide AdThe station’s £48,000 inshore lifeboat MOAM was also officially named by Mr Vlasto’s wife Helen, while both craft were dedicated by Rev Anne Wood, vicar of St John’s Church, Lytham.
Mr Vlasto also handed over a birthday cake to station president Allan Williams who was celebrating his 90th birthday.
Lytham St Annes RNLI spokesman David Forshaw said: “A large crowd watched from outside while there were around 300 guests in the boathouse.”