Two donations given to Walmer RNLI - the Mercury's Charity of the Year for 2019 - will go towards training volunteers to save lives at sea.

Treasurer Roger Phillips and fundraising chairwoman Alison Stone welcomed representatives from the Princes Ladies Golf Club in Sandwich to the station last Sunday.

Retiring ladies captain Christine Gill presented a cheque for £3,665, raised through a series of events including their Christmas bazaar, a coffee morning, cake stalls, quizzes and golf competitions.

A further gift of £300 was given to the station by Royal Marines Sergeants' Mess Pantomime who donate a large part of the profits from their annual show to local charities.

Lifeboat operations manager Denis Brophy said: "We'd like to thank both for their generous donations.

"It costs on average £1,600 per year to train and keep up the skill set of each of our volunteers.

"Without donations such as these our work would not be possible."