DIGNITARIES were out in force to mark 50 years of Burnham Lifeboat Station.

Crew from the station, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, the High Sheriff of Essex, and MP John Whittingdale were among those who attended a ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Burnham on Sunday.

The service marked 50 years of the lifeboat station which was established in 1966.

Burnham RNLI canon Lionel Webber said: “Support from the local community saves lives.

“In some 1,100 recorded launches Our Lifeboat Station has rescued nearly 1,000 people and has been responsible for saving 62 human lives in the past 50 years - plus at least one cow, for the sake of accuracy - and as traffic on the river increases its role will become even more necessary.”

Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, said: “Many believe that the Lifeboat Service, like the Fire and Ambulance Services, is financed by Government.

“That is not the case. All the individuals who crew the boats are volunteers and the substantial running costs of the service have to be met entirely by donations from sponsors and the general public.

“Although the work of the Burnham Station is mainly confined to the Crouch and its estuary, the service they provide is no less essential, nor necessarily less hazardous, than that provided on more open waters.

“This therefore is a welcome opportunity to celebrate the fifty years of the Burnham Station and pay tribute not only to the selfless service of those who have crewed the boats down the years but also the loyal supporters who have provided them with the wherewithal to do so.”