IT HAS been a major summer event in Lyme Regis since the 1970s, and now all the old favourites will be returning when Lifeboat Week kicks off this month.
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week takes place from 26 July to 1 August.
While residents and visitors look forward to the event each year, behind the scenes the planning for the week by a dedicated group of volunteers starts the moment the current week ends.
The aim of the festivities in twofold - to provide family fun and to raise vital donations to enable the pledge of the RNLI as the charity that saves lives at sea.
In Lyme Regis, the RNLI has a team of 35 volunteers based at the lifeboat station on the Cobb.
These are the men and women who train regularly ready to go to sea at a moment's notice when the call for help comes in.
In addition, there is another group of volunteers called the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters who play an important role organising many fundraising events, including the big one, Lifeboat Week.
This year's week includes all the old favourites, including the duck race, the swimming challenges, teddy bears' picnic, morris dancing, crab fishing contest and the sand castle competition.
Another highly successful fundraiser, the water or wine lucky dip, will the year be dedicated to the memory of its creator Brian Cursley.
Among the new highlights this year will be an aerobatic display by two historic aircraft from the Navy Wings - formerly the Royal Navy Historic Flight - based at RNAS Yeovilton.
The Vintage Harvard and Chipmunk aircraft will be performing on two days, at 3pm on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 July.
Day one of the week, Saturday 26 July, will feature the official opening at midday by the mayor, Cllr Philip Evans, and an introduction to members of the lifeboat crew when they are interviewed by former BBC reporter Chris Coneybeer.
The day will end with another Lifeboat Week favourite, the bathtub race.
Chairman of the Lifeboat Supporters Group, Ken Lavery said: "Lifeboat Week is the highlight of our fundraising year. Since the 1970s the event has raised huge amounts to help the RNLI to achieve its aim as the charity saves lives at sea.
"The generosity of visitors, local residents and businesses never ceases to amaze us and, of course, none of these fundraising events would be possible without the efforts of our devoted volunteers.
Ultimately though, we wish a warm welcome to everyone to our Lifeboat Week and hope they bring the sunshine with them!"