Laughter helps pub to raise £30,000 for a new lifeboat

Some 200 people gathered at the service of dedication at the inshore lifeboat station in the resort to welcome the new D class vessel, the Windsor Spirit.

The boat was named in honour of staff and customers at the resort's Windsor Hotel who spent five years raising 30,000, as one of the warmest days of the year saw crowds on Bridlington's South Beach.

The crew use the pub, which is opposite the harbour and five minutes' walk from the boathouse, following their Wednesday evening practice sessions.

One of the fundraisers, former crewmember Peter Salisbury, said: "Raising money with laughter has always been our motto and the lifeboat in front of us is proof that this was sound philosophy. Happy people can be very generous."

The money was raised through quiz and bingo nights and the annual Christmas party – every August Bank Holiday. Prolific donor John Cooper, whose artwork was auctioned off to raise funds performed the honours, pouring champagne over its bow.

The boat came into service last September has helped tow back broken-down boats and look for a missing man in the middle of a January night – which was a hoax.

It was spotlessly clean for Saturday's event, but was called out on Friday night to a drunken man in the water off North Beach, standing by while a police officer waded in and took him to safety.

Landlord Mick Waddington said: "We are very proud to see the boat launched and we will continue to raise funds."

The service was conducted by the Rev Adrian Cragg, with music by the Bridlington Excelsior Band and Filey Fisherman's Choir.