HARWICH'S new lifeboat was officially named at a ceremony over the weekend.

On Saturday, Harwich RNLI's new Atlantic 85 B-Class inshore lifeboat was named after the children of Alan Reid, who was friends with founders of a trust which has funded multiple lifeboats.

Professor James Allan set up The John & Elizabeth memorial Trust, in memory of his parents, in 1998.

James’ interest in the RNLI began as a child spending time in Fraserburgh on family holidays where he visited the lifeboat crew.

His passion for the charity grew as he read reports about the bravery of the volunteer in their attempts to save the lives of others.

It encouraged him to want to help these men and woman, and he decided that if he ever had the means, he would do his utmost to provide funding to the RNLI. He has been able to achieve this wish.

The John & Elizabeth memorial Trust has been able to fully fund two Shannon class lifeboats and two Atlantic 85 boats.

One of the Atlantic 85 lifeboats is Harwich’s new B-Class lifeboat, named Tierney, Harvey & Sonny Reid, after the children of his friend, Alan Reid.

An RNLI spokesman said: "In Harwich, the inshore lifeboat had just been lowered in to the water to give the demonstration, and the crew pagers were activated.

"The inshore lifeboat was launched on service to assist a broken down motor vessel.

"While the guests and supporters didn’t get to see a demonstration in the harbour, they did see the lifeboat launch on service, an impressive sight.

"For the crew and the wider lifeboat station team, it was great to be able to welcome Alan Reid and his family, including Tierney, Harvey and Sonny, the individuals that the new lifeboat is named after."