EASTBOURNE lifeboats have received a donation of £3000 from the Duke of Devonshire’s charitable trust.

Lifeboat Coxswain Mark Sawyer accepted the cheque from estates secretary Susan Body at a presentation.

Lifeboat spokesman Bob Jeffery thanked the Duke for his continued support.

The cash would go towards equipping at least two crewmen with specialist equipment.

Eastbourne has celebrated more than 185 years as a lifeboat station and currently operates an all-weather Tamar Class lifeboat ‘Diamond Jubilee’ and an inshore D-Class lifeboat ‘Laurence and Percy Hobbs’.

RNLI volunteers provide a 24-hour search and e-service.

The RNLI operates more than 230 lifeboat stations and has over 140 lifeguard units.