HUNDREDS of guests gathered to celebrate the official opening of Swanage RNLI’s new state-of-the-art facilities.

The celebration was held on Saturday (April 29) at Swanage Lifeboat Station to mark the official naming of the town’s Shannon class lifeboat George Thomas Lacy.

The event also marked the opening of the new lifeboat station and the huge achievement by the community in raising an overwhelming £465,000 towards the project.

Crowds welcomed the Shannon class lifeboat to the town in April 2016. The vessel has been funded by several group and individual donations and legacies, the largest from Mr George Lacy.

Mr Lacy, from Dorset, passed away at the age of 94 and it was his wish that on his death, a generous portion of his estate should go to the RNLI to be used along the Dorset coast.

In preparation for the Shannon class lifeboat, the Swanage Lifeboat Station had to be rebuilt to accommodate the new vessel.

The new building houses state-of-the-art facilities for crew, as well as facilities for training, maintenance, community education and visitor engagement.

The ceremony began with Peter Foster, chair of Swanage Lifeboat Management Group, welcoming guests.

He said: ‘Benefactors like those of Mr Lacy are very important to the longevity of the RNLI enabling them to save lives at sea with the demand increasing year on year.

Many of you here today give your time as volunteers, which accounts for 95 per cent of the total of people involved with the lifeboats.

"Without you and the fantastic fundraising efforts and amounts you raise the RNLI would not exist.

"Our magnificent fundraising efforts here in Swanage, with the help of our local branches, raised £465,000 towards the cost of the new station for which on behalf of all the volunteers at the station I am truly thankful."

John Whybrow, RNLI National Council Member and patron of the Swanage Lifeboat Station Appeal, officially opened the boathouse and handed over the Shannon into the care of Swanage RNLI.

He said: "This station really is state-of-the-art. It is the first boathouse and slipway to be designed specifically for the new Shannon range of life boat. The boathouse has excellent accommodation for the crew but also houses the inshore D class lifeboat, Phyl & Jack, which was first brought on service in 2012.

"This is a lifeboat station which all involved can be proud of. It has been made a reality because of the generosity our supporters, donors, fundraisers and station volunteers - and also our neighbours who have shown patience and understanding during the period of construction. I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved. It is your kindness, and for some your courage, which makes a difference to so many people."

A service of dedication was then conducted by the Reverend Tony Higgins, before Heather Booy, Mr Lacy’s relative, officially named the lifeboat. The lifeboat was then launched to illustrate her capabilities to the watching crowd.