In complete contrast to the usual image of the be whiskered sea-dog lifeboat man Little and Broad Haven's D class inflatable now has three young ladies in their twenties as part of the crew.

AH three joined the crew of the year-round inflatable lifeboat in January of this year, and are all members of the local sea rowing club.

Vivienne Whiteright (left in picture) is a primary school teacher, Mandy Clarke (centre) is a sales consultant and Phillipn Lewis (right) is a potter.

The three ladies are the first to serve with the Pembrokeshire station's crew since its establishment in 1882, and honorary secretary Malcolm Phillips said: 'When the girls said they wanted to join us there were no objections, the lads were delighted. They are now part of the crew and will be doing exactly the same work that the men are required to do.'.