HEROIC lifeboat crews from local RNLI stations across Wirral saved the lives of 42 people over the last year.

New Brighton lifeboat station saved most lives, launching 37 times and rescuing 32 people.

West Kirby had 11 launches and rescued 7 people, while Hoylake had 5 launches rescuing 3 people.

New Brighton operations manager Peter Shillinglaw said: "In the past we have had to make up to 60 rescues in a year so it has been a good for us. A lot of people in boats seem to be more safety conscious. They are getting their boats checked out by the RNLI and they are more aware of the dangers."

He added: "People are still unlucky though and run into problems, but that is why we are here. Our coast is a very pretty area but sometimes people don't realise the dangers."

The RNLI's annual running costs are £110m- £300,000 per day - and as a registered charity the organisation continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income. A naming ceremony for New Brighton Lifeboat Station's latest craft takes place on June 25.

Mr Shillinglaw said: "This year our new hovercraft the Hurley Spirit - donated by Mrs Kay Hurley from Henley-on-Thames - goes live. It's already done two rescues during training and the vessel will be a great added rescue service for the Northwest."

Across the charity's North Division - which stretches from Silloth to West Kirby on the west coast and Berwick upon Tweed to Skegness on the east - the RNLI's 34 lifeboat stations launched 1,077 times in 2004.

Hoylake lifeboat operations manager John Curry said: "Each lifeboat is there for a different reason.

"Hoylake is an all weather lifeboat and usually goes out to shipping vessels that are in trouble.

"Luckily shipping has been in good order this year, which means people are taking notice with regards to safety and that their equipment is adequate for their jobs..

"In our history Hoylake is credited with saving 600 lives in 200 years. Accidents will always happen and Hoylake is always ready.

"In 2003, during our bicentenary celebrations, we were credited with saving 38 people. We saved the crews of two cockleboats that year, and we were required a lot more.

"One of the saddest cases this year was the recovery of two bodies from the crashed light aircraft in Liverpool Bay."

Around the UK and Ireland the charity's fleet of 330 lifeboats launched a total of 7,656 times in 2004, rescuing 7,507 people - an average of 21 people every day.