WESTON RNLI is challenging residents to show how fit they are while supporting the lifesaving organisation at a row-a-thon this weekend.

Volunteer crew members and members of the public will attempt to row the 60-mile distance from Weston to Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station on state-of-the-art rowing machines on the Grand Pier on Saturday.

MP John Penrose and Sean Callaghan, champion indoor rower, will open the event by being the first to row on the machines, loaned by Freak Events.

Anyone who is medically fit can also take part and will be given five minutes on the rowing machines, for a minimum donation of �1. They will also receive an event t-shirt.

There will also be a competition for male, female and team categories, with a team made up of three to five people and prizes awarded for first, second and third place.

Various sporting clubs and organisations are sending members to compete, including the Bristol Gig Rowers and Weston Round Table, and a former operational lifeboat will be available for inspection.

The event runs from 10.15am-5pm.

Don Sutherland, Weston Lifeboat Management Group chairman, said: “This event is in keeping with the long history of the RNLI volunteers working with the RNLI fund-raisers to raise funds to continue their work of saving lives at sea.”