Volunteer lifeboat supporters have issued a cry for help.

The RNLI crews based at eight stations in Sussex receive hundreds of distress calls every year.

But after numbers of crew members, fundraisers and general helpers at one station hit a new low, the charity has issued an urgent appeal for support.

It comes just days after lifeboat crew members braved the rough seas to attempt to rescue Kevin Reynolds from the sea near Brighton’s Palace Pier.

Mike Tubb, lifeboat operations manager at Newhaven, said: “For varying reasons we have seen our numbers drop recently, and we know of at least a couple of volunteers who are leaving in the coming months.

“We want to try to recruit more people who can join us in our collective aim of saving lives at sea.”

A special open day will be held by Newhaven station on February 9 from 11am to 6pm to welcome people and show them what the “RNLI experience” is like.

For more details on volunteering contact 07985 595919 or visit www.rnli.org.uk.

Are you an RNLI volunteer? Tell us why more people should get involved by writing to our letters page, emailing letters@theargus.co.uk or commenting below.