Weymouth Lifeboat Week is set to make a grand return with a variety of events and activities aimed at all the family.

The week of events - a fundraising initiative which also aims to raise awareness of the RNLI's work - will run from Sunday, July 28 to Saturday, August 3.

It's extra special this year as the RNLI celebrates 200 years of service in 2024.

Weymouth is one of the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat stations on England’s south coast, operating two lifeboats – Ernest and Mabel, a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, and Jack and Phyl Cleare, a B class Atlantic 85.

Celebrations will kick off on the Sunday with the Red Devils dropping in, the British Army's Parachute Display Team.

This will take place at approximately 5.30pm (weather permitting) in the area around Weymouth Pleasure Pier.

The all weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboatThe all weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

This will be followed by a boat blessing at 7.30pm from Weymouth’s south harbourside.

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Monday will see an RNLI fun day at the Nothe Gardens from 1pm with plenty of stalls, live music and entertainment – kids and adults alike will also be able to say hi to mascot Stormy Sam.

At 7pm there will be a lifeboat and coastguard display off the Nothe.

On Tuesday evening from 7pm-9pm town-favourite band The Leggomen will be performing at the Boat Café on Weymouth Beach.

A crabbing competition which is always a huge hit with families will take place on the Wednesday at 2pm.

Entry is £2 and participants should bring their own buckets and bait.

That evening will also see the second display by the lifeboat crews and local coastguard, this time at Bowleaze Cove from 7pm.

The Official Test Centre, at Portland is supporting the event by hosting paddleboarding sessions which need to be booked in advance.

An ever-popular pub quiz will take place at the Nothe Tavern on Barrack Road from 7pm and entry is £2 per person, or £6 per team of four.

As Lifeboat Week comes to a close on the Saturday, the lifeboat station will be hosting an open day, where visitors can meet the volunteer crew of Weymouth lifeboat, take a tour of our Severn class all weather lifeboat Earnest and Mabel and the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Jack and Phyl Cleare.

Events are subject to change so keep an eye on the Weymouth Lifeboat social media pages for more information.