A LIFE-saving Weston charity will parade along the seafront next month to celebrate receiving the Honorary Freedom of the Town, described as "the greatest honour a town can bestow."

Led by the Sea Cadet Band, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will parade on Sunday, March 10 from 4.30pm. Starting from the lifeboat station on Knightstone Plaza, the parade will proceed along the seafront to The Grand Pier.

Here, rear admiral Ian Moncrieff, deputy lieutenant of Somerset, Robert Drewett, high sheriff of Somerset, councillor Ciaran Cronnelly, mayor of Weston and councillor John Crockford-Hawley, deputy mayor will take the salute by the pier entrance.

Speaking about the event, Cllr Cronnelly said: "RNLI Weston-super-Mare is an incredible organisation that has saved countless lives for well over 140 years, and as a town, we owe them a massive debt of gratitude.

"Granting the RNLI Freedom is the greatest honour a town can bestow.

"I'd encourage all members of the public to come and watch and to show their appreciation for the RNLI's life-saving work. Later that day, I'll officially sign the scrolls, in the crew’s presence, confirming the grant of freedom."

Chris Ware, the operations manager at Weston RNLI, added: "The whole Weston-super-Mare RNLI family are really looking forward to formally receiving the immense honour of the Freedom of our hometown, which supports us so well in everything we do.

"At the event, we will have members of our current crew, fundraisers, and retired crew, supported as always by our family and friends.

"Also taking part will be lifeboat colleagues from our central support team and flank stations such as Barry Dock and Burnham-on-Sea.

"In the spirit of the RNLI 200 celebrations, we will commemorate our past, celebrate what we do today, and hopefully inspire the next generation of volunteers in Weston."

Deputy mayor John Crockford-Hawley wrote the official history of Weston Lifeboat. He said: “We all look forward to the day when our lifeboat crew returns to their historic home on Birnbeck Pier.”

The RNLI has been an integral part of the coastal town since 1882. Its staff and volunteers save lives day in, day out, sometimes even putting themselves at risk to rescue those who find themselves in difficulty.