A fundraising scheme paused due to the closure of businesses during the coronavirus pandemic is preparing for its relaunch.

Walmer RNLI's highly successful Betty’s 5p Pots initiative will begin again from August 1.

Betty's Pots asks people to collect any spare silver coins in small jam jars, with each pot holding around £2.

The pots were previously available from or could be dropped off at more than 30 businesses around the town, but the closure of shops and restaurants saw the scheme pushed to one side.

Now, as organisers prepare to get it up and running again, just five businesses will be taking part.

These are Maxted’s Aquatic and Garden in Deal High Street, Deal Pier Office, Wale and Son in The Strand, Walmer, J Prentis Greengrocer in Deal High Street, King’s Head in Beach Street and The Bean Café in Park Avenue.

Instead of handing it the pot, people are now asked to empty the coins in the bucket provided and take their pot home for refilling.

The station’s Betty’s Pots co-ordinator, Dawn Whitbread said: "We hope to eventually re-establish contact with all our current supporters and begin reissuing the pots to these businesses.

"In the meantime, however, we would ask any of you who have collected pots to take them to one of our Collection Points."

The 5p pot initiative is thought to be one of Walmer RNLI's most successful fundraising schemes in its history.

Since it began in February last year, the scheme has raised more than £15,000 towards saving lives at sea.

Ms Whitbread added: "We also ask, in the current climate, not to take any pots to the lifeboat station.

"Although they are still on call 24/7 for emergencies, the station is still closed to visitors with only essential personnel and maintenance teams allowed access.

"We look forward to our continued success with the scheme."

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