Despite the heavy rain people turned out to support Lowestoft RNLI station's annual open day.

Visitors were able to meet some of the volunteer crew at the station on South Pier and take a look around the photographic exhibition showing the town's lifeboat in action.

Those who braved the weather were treated to a display on lifesaving techniques by the new all-weather Shannon-class offshore lifeboat Patsy Knight and the Southwold inshore lifeboat the Annie Tranmer.

A crew from Great Yarmouth and Gorleston offshore lifeboat Samarbeta were also due to take part in the mock rescue but were cancelled off because of the rain.

'Due to the weather we had to take the decision to scale back quite dramatically,' said Paul Carter, lifeboat operations manager at Lowestoft RNLI. 'Not as many people were there to witness it unfortunately but we always get well supported at this event.

'It's an important day for the crew to show off their skills and for people to look at them and we were pleased with the support.'

The 'Blessing of the lifeboat' service also fell victim to the weather but has been rescheduled to take place at the official naming ceremony on September 20 at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.

A demonstration will then take place where members of the public will be able to see the lifeboat in action.

Second coxswain of the lifeboat Nigel Lyman said it was a bit rough on the water during the display.

He said: 'We had a couple of casualties in the water and we and Southwold rescued them. The demonstration showed the mobility of the boat. It was quite choppy and wet at sea and wasn't pleasant.

'A lot of organisation goes into the event and it is a shame when the weather knocks us on the head.'

A total of £535.89 was raised on the day to help support the future work of the crew.