An annual lifeboat gala returned to Barrow this weekend as part of the RNLI's 200th anniversary celebrations.

Taking place on Saturday, August 24, the fundraising event, organised by Barrow Ladies Guild, was held on The Green at Marine Terrace, Roa Island.

A particular highlight was a thrilling display by the Barrow Lifeboats which were launched to demonstrate the capabilities of the boats, and how rescues from water are carried out by the volunteer crews.

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The 'all action' display featured the crews of Barrow's Tamar Class 'Grace Dixon' and D-Class 'Raymond and Dorothy Billingham'.

Thanks to a partnership with the Transport Museum, a vintage bus ride was also available taking people from the Paddock at Rampside.

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The day saw plenty of stalls, attractions, refreshments and water safety advice on hand.

A spokesperson for Barrow RNLI said: "The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea and is funded entirely by donations from the public and business. In 2024 we celebrate 200 years of the RNLI and 160 years of a lifeboat station based in Barrow and we are rightly proud of our all volunteers and our supporters.

"Today’s Gala has raised valuable funds that will enable us to continue to provide our 24/7 service to those in difficulty on the water."

(Image: Chris Warner)

Barrow RNLI lifeboat station was first founded in 1864 and in that time its crews have launched their lifeboats 1,350 times and saved 367 lives.

The first Barrow lifeboat was a 12 oared self-righting vessel and was housed in a boathouse built on Roa Island at a cost of £240.

Throughout the 160 years of Barrow lifeboats, there has been a proud tradition of generations of the same families volunteering as lifeboat crew and in other supporting roles at the lifeboat station.

 As a whole, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea in March of this year.