HEROIC lifeboat men will be captured on film throughout the summer for a new television series.

A BBC crew started filming this week at Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station for the new 10-part Seaside Rescue documentary to be shown on primetime television next year.

A team of filmmakers is now based in a house near the lifeboat station and its members have been equipped with bicycles to respond quickly to a call-out, just like the lifeboat volunteers.

Weymouth's two boats have been kitted out with cameras to capture all the action on the boat until the autumn.

Coxswain Andy Sargent said: "All the filming on the boats is observational, so if they get in the way they are not doing their job properly. The crew just carries on as normal. It is a very good opportunity for the station and hopefully it will emphasise the work of the RNLI.

"The show attracts younger viewers so it will increase safety awareness. The more people know the less we have to do."

The BBC crew has started in Weymouth before the summer season gets under way to make the most of the unpredictable weather conditions earlier in the year.

Producer Chris Hutchins said: "We chose Weymouth because it is one of the busiest in the country.

"It has proved to be very busy already. We haven't got our full team up and running yet, but we've already been out on all-night calls."

The programme will feature Weymouth's two RNLI lifeboats, which are funded by donations from the public, and the beach lifeguards, the Coastguard operations room and the Coastguard volunteer teams in Wyke Regis and Portland.

Mr Hutchins said: "Filming is all about the characters. Viewers aren't going to watch just helicopters and boats.

"It is about the people going out on them. The crew in Weymouth are very friendly and very relaxed natural people."

The BBC is also filming the RNLI beach lifeguards at Perranporth beach in Cornwall and the Coastguard helicopter base in Lee-on-Solent.

It was chosen instead of Portland's Whiskey Bravo helicopter because it runs a 24-hour operation.

Portland's Coastguard search and rescue helicopter featured in the last series, aired earlier this year.