TRIBUTES have been paid to a former lifeboat operations manager at Weymouth Lifeboat Station who has died.

James 'Robbie' Robertson passed away peacefully on January 26 at the age of 80.

He is survived by his wife Kate, four children and three grandchildren.

Mrs Robertson said: "Robbie loved the harbour and spent much time involved in the life of it.

"He came to work here in 1971 as a civil engineer, enjoyed the view of the harbour every day, had a boat moored in the backwater for many years and was involved in installing the berth for ferries to the Channel Islands.

"He also headed the team to organise the Tall Ships Race which came to Weymouth in the early nineties."

Mr Roberston was the harbour engineer until retirement in 1998 and was part of the lifeboat team between 2002-2008.

The lifeboat station said in a statement: "He will always be remembered as a gentleman and a gentle man who thought so much of the RNLI.

"Robbie was a real character and was well known and respected around the harbour and will be missed by all that knew him. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time."

Andy Sargent, coxswain of Weymouth Lifeboat, said: "It's a sad loss and the station's thoughts are with Robbie's family at this time."