A rigid inflatable boat is being brought in as a replacement

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) insists lives will not be put at risk by the withdrawal of the all-weather vessel at Blyth.

It is being replaced by a dinghy-style inshore boat in a cost-cutting move.

On Saturday a flotilla of about 20 small boats took part in a protest in Blyth harbour.

The RNLI says it will save about �117,000 a year by withdrawing all-weather rescue craft from Blyth and Sunderland.

Fundraising campaign

The decision followed a five-year review by the charity.

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.

Blyth Valley Council leaders are considering a fundraising campaign to provide Blyth with a new lifeboat, independent of the RNLI.

Blyth Valley Council leader Dave Stephens said: "We have written to the RNLI and asked them to re-consider the decision.

"We are trying to encourage people to take up water sports and boating off Blyth and, while the inshore boat can operate close to shore, there are fears about people going further out to sea on fishing and leisure trips."