Kent's lifeboats have recorded their busiest summer ever - with hundreds of lives potentially saved across the county.

Rescue crews were launched a total of 241 times from the nine lifeboat stations in Kent - up from 222 last year.

The busiest station in Kent was Gravesend, which comes under the Thames area. It was called out 46 times, according to preliminary figures for summer this year. That compares with 33 launches last year.

Next comes Ramsgate, with 42 launches, and Whitstable, with 38 rescues. Dover notched up a huge leap - with 35 launches, up from 25 the summer before.

Dover was particularly busy this summer – with rescues to swimmers in trouble in Folkestone, boat breakdowns, and people cut off by the tide or ill on board their vessels. In August they had six call-outs over a two-week period.

RNLI Divisional Inspector Andrew Ashton said: "Lifeboat stations have carried out a great deal of rescues, exceeding even last year’s launch figures.

"While public awareness of our safety messages has increased demand for our lifeboats has been higher than ever - possibly down to more people holidaying at home this summer, and the good weather Kent has seen, the best for a number of years.

"While the Great British public is relaxing on holiday our crews are sacrificing their time, whether this is morning, noon or night, to go to their aid, demonstrating their enthusiasm and willingness to help others.

"Increasingly water-based activities are more accessible to the mass market – meaning more people are using the sea for leisure. While the majority enjoy their water sports without getting into trouble, some end up needing the help of the RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers, so it’s really important that this group of sea users supports us."

Factfile

* As a charity, the RNLI relies totally on the public to fund its services.

* It costs £1,200 per year to train a crew member and £1,000 per season to train and equip a lifeguard.

* Anyone wishing to make a donation to the charity can log on towww.rnli.org.uk call 0800 543210 or write to RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

* The RNLI offers free all-year-round safety advice for sea users and beach visitors at www.rnli.org.uk

* It provides a 24/7 search and rescue service every day of the year. The majority of RNLI crew are volunteers – only one in 10 has a professional maritime background