A rigid inflatable boat is being brought in as a replacement

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has defended the decision, claiming lives will not be put at risk.

The all-weather boats, based at Sunderland and Blyth, are to go after a five-year review by the RNLI.

They will be replaced by dinghy-style inshore boats, which will save the charity �117,000 a year.

The RNLI says the 80-mile stretch of coastline from Berwick to Redcar can be safely covered by similar all-weather vessels based at Tynemouth and Hartlepool.

'Great confidence'

The charity has blamed the decline in commercial fishing and the increase in leisure sailing for the decision.

Sunderland lifeboat coxswain Ernie Laws said: "The lads are devastated.

"The station will not close down permanently and we will be given a rigid inflatable boat to do the same job.

"But everyone here is pretty gutted."

Michael Vlasto, RNLI operations director, said: "I have great confidence in the way the institution operates and particularly in the way our lifeboat crews operate.

"They put a lot of time and effort in and they are volunteers and do a tremendous job.

"They have very good equipment and are well equipped to do what is required of them along this stretch of coastline."