The Newhaven lifeboat was also involved in the rescue caught in the dramatic photograph (left) from the harbour wall on 24 July, 1988.

A swimmer, visible under the lifeboat's starboard bow, is being hauled from the water.

Two men from a Brighton sub aqua club had been swimming in the comparative shelter of Newhaven Harbour, but then ventured outside where they got into difficulties in a SW Force 6 to 7 and rough seas.

The lifeboat launched at 1905 and reached the swimmers just under ten minutes later with Second Coxswain Paddy Boyle at the helm.

One was some 200 yards from the beach by this time and the other almost in the surf.

The swimmers, who were wearing wet suits, were taken aboard Keith Anderson and landed none the worse for their exploits.

Photo courtesy John England.