Blue Peter IV is centre stage CBBC 8/ue Peter presenter Konnie Huq named the latest addition to the RNLI's fleet of Blue Peter-funded lifeboats at the 2005 London Boat Show in January. Gathered round the RNLI exhibition stand, the crowd gave a round of applause and three cheers as Konnie poured the ceremonial champagne over Blue Peter IV, which was funded by young viewers of the television programme. Naming the lifeboat, Konnie said: 'I congratulate the crews who have served the community on Blue Peter IV at St Agnes for their lifesaving work.' Nick Marsh, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at the St Agnes RNLI lifeboat station, said:'I would like to express our thanks to Blue Peter, and their thousands of viewers, for their generosity and continued support of the RNLI and our volunteer crews. We are all very excited about Blue Peter IV's forthcoming arrival on station. The new IB1-type D class is five knots faster than her predecessor and will allow us to respond to casualties faster than ever before, ensuring our crew can continue saving lives at sea.' The new boat is the 25th lifeboat funded by the TV programme and the fourth at St Agnes - all have had the same name, 8/ue Peter IV, indicating that St Agnes is the fourth station to benefit from a Blue Peter-funded lifeboat.

There are seven 'Blue Peter stations' in all, from Littlehampton (four boats named Blue Peter I) to Fishguard (just one 8/ue Peter VII so far).

The first Blue Peter lifeboat appeal was in 1966 and aimed to provide three D class inflatable lifeboats, but the response was so overwhelming that the appeal was able to fund lifeboats at Littlehampton, Beaumaris, North Berwick and St Agnes. A further appeal in 1972 allowed the lifeboats at North Berwick and St Agnes to be replaced, and Littlehampton and Beaumaris were provided with the larger Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboats. The fourth and most recent appeal in 1993-94 was so successful that six inshore lifeboats were replaced, including those at Cleethorpes and Portaferry, and the first Blue Peter all weather lifeboat, a Trent class, was stationed at Fishguard.Appointments Mr Michael England - Padstow lifeboat station Mechanic Retirements Mr John Alldridge - Padstow lifeboat station Mechanic Dr David Davies - Fishguard and Coodwick branch Chairman (remains Honorary Medical Advisor) Mr Jim Dougal - Eyemouth lifeboat station CoxswainON STATION ALL WEATHER Relief fleet ON-12 79 (17-46) Margaret Joan & Fred A/ye, 17 November 2004 INSHORE Relief Fleet D-645 Martin Jolty, 23 November 2004 D-630 LangleyMuir, 15 December 2004 Sunderland (Relief) B-705 Vera Skelton, 28 September 2004 Littlehampton D-631 Spirit of Juniper, 27 October 2004Lifeboat naming ceremonies Donald & Barbara Broadhead, Rosslare, Severn class 11 September 2004 The Taylors, Thurso, Severn class, 18 September 2004 May II, Borth, IB 1-type D class, 18 September 2004 Annette Hutton, Castletownbere, Severn class, 9 October 2004 Peterborough Beer Festival II,The Mumbles, 161-type D class, 9 October 2004 Martin Jolly, Relief fleet, IB 1-type D class, 17 November 2004.