WITHERNSEA'S new lifeboat has been officially named by one of the RNLI volunteer fundraisers who helped raise cash for the vessel.

Henley Eight was named by Joyce Walden, vice-president of the Henley-on-Thames branch of the organisation, which ran an appeal to fund the £31,000 D-class inshore lifeboat.

The year-long campaign by the Henley-on-Thames RNLI – backed by Olympic rower James Cracknell – was sparked after the branch heard the East Riding station needed to replace the worn-out Brian and Margaret Wiggins lifeboat.

Mr Cracknell, who has lived and trained in Henley, offered to be the patron of the appeal and urged people to give generously.

RNLI lifeboat crew, fundraisers and other supporters of the charity flocked to the naming ceremony on Saturday.

They were joined by RNLI head of coast operations Hugh Fogarty, who formally accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the charity.

Henley-on-Thames branch committee chairman Norman Daniells said they had been very much looking forward to visiting Withernsea and playing a part in the naming ceremony, which he had anticipated would be a "very special day".

He said: "The committee worked very hard to raise the funds and people in Henley were extremely generous, supporting events and collections to help us reach our total sooner than we expected.

"It was wonderful to see the results of our labours at the naming ceremony, which we are all honoured to be attending."

Although the lifeboat was officially named at the weekend, it has already been christened by the waves after carrying out seven rescues in the waters of the North Sea since beginning operations in February.

RNLI lifeboat operations manager Martin Woodhouse said everyone at the lifeboat station has been impressed with the new vessel.

He described Henley Eight as a "wonderful lifeboat" and said everyone at Withernsea Lifeboat Station had been looking forward to personally thanking guests from Henley-on-Thames who had helped make it a reality.

He said: "Naming ceremonies only happen once every 10 years or so and it was a big day for us, which has been months in the planning."

Family members, friends and other RNLI supporters joined volunteers and crew members to celebrate the arrival of the new lifeboat and take part in a service of dedication, which was carried out by the Reverend John Brown.

Withernsea's D-class took her name from the popular Eights class of rowing race at the famous Henley Royal Regatta, as well as the fact the fundraising committee had eight members.