MINEHEAD’S RNLI lifeboat station is on course to notch up a record-breaking year – in all senses of the word.

With a month of 2017 still to run the volunteer crew has already responded to the highest number of annual call-outs in the station’s history.

And local fund-raising is also expected to exceed all previous totals. This week the West Somerset Morris side became the latest to donate to station funds with a £400 cheque presented to Minehead RNLI chairman Bryan Stoner by Ray Hunt, assisted by Barbara Robinson and Malcolm Appleton.

Most of the money was raised by collections taken at the side’s various local appearances during the summer following a decision to make the RNLI its 2017 charity cause.

Bryan Stoner said the Minehead station was now receiving unprecedented levels of local support. “The BBC Saving Lives as Sea series undoubtedly raised our profile but generally across West Somerset more and more individuals and organisations are recognising the value of the work and dedication shown by our crew,” he said.