MORE than £24,000 has been donated to the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) to ensure it keeps afloat.

The money was raised over a ten-year period by members of the Eastbourne Volunteer Rescue Service in Sussex.

Volunteers there had hoped to get a similar service up and running but a lack of support from their council sunk their plans.

So instead they opted to give their £24,050 to GAFIRS.

Bob Billish, chairman of Eastbourne Volunteer Rescue Service, said: "We were set up ten years ago and this has been the money we raised in that time. We wanted to get a similar system to that operating in Gosport and Fareham up and running in Eastbourne.

"But when we didn't get any council support we had to back down on our plans and decided instead to give the money to GAFIRS so it can continue doing good work in this area. Eastbourne has lost out."

The Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service has been operating for 34 years.

John Lee, GAFIRS vice president, said: "It costs £40,000 a year to keep things running and we need all the support we can get to meet this.

"This money will help us extend the boathouse and also to buy our new boat. We are fortunate in that we have a lot of support from both Fareham and Gosport councils who recognise the work we do."