A charity is celebrating a huge milestone by 'flying a flag' across the UK in a huge relay.

Volunteer watchkeepers of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) provide 'eyes and ears' along the coast to support search and rescue efforts. 

They keep watch and monitor radio channels to provide a listening watch in poor visibility.

When people find themselves in trouble, the NCI are there to alert the coastguard and direct the appropriate emergency and rescue services to them.

Dorset is home to a number of NCI stations, at locations including Portland Bill, Lyme Bay, Charmouth, St Alban’s Head and Swanage.

The organisation is celebrating its 30th anniversary and in order to commemorate this milestone, volunteers across Dorset are flying the flag and taking part in a national 2,000-mile relay.

A special anniversary flag is travelling around the UK coast in a station-to-station relay to highlight the charity’s work of helping to save lives around the coast.

Stephen Hand, NCI Chairman said: “The relay is about having some fun, raising awareness of our work and hopefully raise some vital funds as well. Volunteers Week is the perfect time to kick it off and help shine a spotlight on our volunteers and our lifesaving work as a part of the UK’s maritime search and rescue community.” 

The flag is due to arrive at the Portland Lookout today from Lyme Bay and volunteers will be meeting at the lookout from 9.30am on Tuesday, July 16 for the flag’s departure via trishaw at 10am.

From there it will be seen off by the mayor of Portland and a 'Portland pirate' as it embarks on its next journey to St Alban's Head.

Volunteers at St Alban's will then transfer the flag to Swanage and then onto Hengistbury Head.

At each station, the volunteer watchkeepers who help save lives around the coast have been coming up with innovative ways to pass the flag on to the waiting crews at their neighbouring station.