Minehead RNLI celebrate name of new lifeboat Exmoor Belle

RNLI officials in Minehead have decided on Exmoor Belle as the name of their station’s new D class inflatable after organising a competition among local schoolchildren.

Pupils at Minehead Middle School were given a chance to name the new £52,000 craft and the station chose Exmoor Belle from a shortlist of suggestions.

Coincidentally the winning name was submitted by Lilia Guscott, whose grandfather, Steve, served on the Minehead crew for several years.

Lilia will now have the honour of officially naming the boat – due to be delivered and go on service in December – at a ceremony sometime next year.

Minehead RNLI chairman Bryan Stoner said there had been a huge response from the school.

'Since virtually all the money for the ;lifeboat was raised by the Minehead community we thought it was only right that the name should be selected locally as well' he said.

'Whittling down the shortlist was quite a challenge because we had some very good suggestions indeed but finally it was Exmoor Belle that got the overwhelming vote.'

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