A senior Suffolk clergyman had an unusual job to carry out at the weekend when he blessed a lifeboat as part of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of a charity.

The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, stood atop the Aldeburgh lifeboat station's all-weather Freddie Cooper vessel on Sunday to mark the birthday of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which runs the station.

Bishop Martin was joined by supporters of the station, where the RNLI has run a voluntary service since 1852.

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East Anglian Daily Times: Supporters gathered at Aldeburgh lifeboat station for the blessing on SundaySupporters gathered at Aldeburgh lifeboat station for the blessing on Sunday (Image: Keith Mindham)He also blessed the station's other vessel - a D class inshore lifeboat - along with the sea and the crew who run the station.

Bishop Martin said afterwards: ‘‘The RNLI volunteers in Aldeburgh are stalwarts of our community. 

“They are on call 24/7 and will drop everything to launch a lifeboat and go and help a stranger in distress at sea.

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East Anglian Daily Times: The Rt Rev Martin Seeley with volunteers from Aldeburgh lifeboat stationThe Rt Rev Martin Seeley with volunteers from Aldeburgh lifeboat station (Image: Keith Mindham)‘‘They are humble people, seeking no recognition for what can be a very difficult operation in a challenging environment, going out when everyone else wants to stay at home.

‘‘I was fascinated to learn all about such a renowned and respected charity which has now operated for 200 years with the mission of saving every one in trouble at sea.

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‘‘To meet those volunteers, to hear their stories and to learn all about their training was a most rewarding experience for me.

“We should feel privileged to have such a tremendous organisation in the heart of our community.’’

In July, the EADT reported how the RNLI was set to replace the Freddie Cooper with an Atlantic-85 inshore lifeboat once the former had reached the end of its operational life.

Campaigners had instead called for an all-weather Shannon class boat to replace the Freddie Cooper instead, with Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey describing the decision as a 'disastrous downgrade'.

The changes were announced following a review of the charity's lifeboat provision along the east coast.

READ MORE: Aldeburgh news