A rigid inflatable boat is being brought in as a replacement

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station at Blyth used to have its own all-weather vessel until it was withdrawn earlier this month.

The charity said the station's inshore vessel provided enough coverage, but local people disagreed.

They have now launched a fundraising bid to buy another rescue boat.

'Well-served'

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: "Compared to other areas of the UK, this stretch of coast is extremely well served by lifeboats.

"As well as the inshore lifeboat, which continues to operate at Blyth, there are two Atlantic lifeboats within 10 minutes of the town, at Cullercoats and Newbiggin.

"There are also lifeboats at Tynemouth and Amble, 20 minutes and 40 minutes away respectively.

"With this mix of lifeboats, RNLI coverage along this stretch of coast will continue to considerably exceed operational requirements, which is to reach 90% of all casualties within 30 minutes of launching."

'One life a year'

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell said raising the cash would be a challenge, but that if even one life a year was saved it would be worth it.

Mr Campbell believes it will cost �60,000 for a second hand boat, a further �16,000 a year for insurance and about �30,000 to �40,0000 to run the service and to pay for a full-time mechanic.

However, the RNLI says a new all weather boat built to the organisation's specifications would cost around �2m, plus the money needed to run a station and train lifeboat staff.