A lifeboat gangway belonging to RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station was stolen last week from its storage at Hoylake Sailing Club.

The volunteer crew took to Facebook saying they were ‘disappointed’ to find that the lifesaving equipment had been stolen.

The gangway is a key part of RNLI annual Lifeboat Open Day which allows public rare access on board of the state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat.

Taking to Facebook they posted: “Our volunteer crew were disappointed to find that our aluminium lifeboat gangway has been stolen this week from its storage at Hoylake Sailing Club.

“The gangway is a key part of our annual Lifeboat Open Day, allowing the public rare access on board our state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat.

“Open Day normally raises thousands of pounds for the RNLI and we always look forward to welcoming our supporters on board to show them how their donations help save lives.

“We hope to be able to offer this chance again in the future.

“If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the gangway, please get in touch via our website at hoylakelifeboat.org.uk/contact-hoylake-lifeboat-station.”