RNLI volunteers have notched up their biggest sales figures at the Minehead lifeboat station shop – partly thanks to a television series.

The till rang up well over £42,000 in 2016 as takings profited from improved lines of merchandise and the profile-raising effect of the BBC’s four-week Saving Lives at Sea series.

The summer series focused on the work of the RNLI at some of its 230 stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland.

And meanwhile local fundraising for the RNLI has also set a new record with events and donations bringing in £47,600.

Shop manager Ann Tilbury said the sales total – several thousand pounds more than the previous best figure – could not have been achieved without the dedication of those who run the shop from April to October and over winter week-ends.

But, she said, new volunteers were always needed.

“Visitors are always delighted to find the shop open when they visit the station and having someone on hand to talk to the about the boats, the crew and how the whole operation works clearly adds to their experience,” she said.

“Fundraising in general saw a marked upturn last year after the BBC documentaries were screened and we’re delighted that another series is planned for this summer.

“We’ve also had lots of feedback from people who helped run the shop for the first time in 2016 as to what an enjoyable experience they found it.

“All we ask of our volunteer staff is a couple of hours a fortnight and if they don’t have a partner then we’re more than happy to pair them up with someone - and we will give them full training.”

After trading over half-term, the shop opens daily from March 18 through to October 29.