A WEST Wirral lifeboat station is set to be one of the first to receive the RNLI’s new £1.5m craft.

The Shannon will replace Hoylake’s current RNLI Mersey class lifeboat, Lady of Hilbre, when she comes to the end of her operational life in around three years time.

The new lifeboat will be partly funded by the proceeds of a major appeal run by the charity between 2007 and 2009 which also helped pay for Hoylake’s new RNLI lifeboat station.

John Curry, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “Everyone at Hoylake lifeboat station is delighted and extremely honoured that we are to receive one of the first of the new Shannon class of lifeboats.

“Some of the crew saw the prototype of the vessel in action, and were impressed by her capabilities, so we are sure the Shannon will enhance our ability to save lives.

“We are fortunate to have a marvellous new lifeboat station here at Hoylake, and the arrival of the Shannon will make the building complete.”

The Shannon has been designed in-house by RNLI naval architects to ensure the new lifeboat meets the needs of a 21st-century rescue service.