THE Minehead Lifeboat crew's 2014 fundraising campaign got off to a stunning start, despite the weather's attempts to disrupt things.

And organisers say Saturday's Lifeboat Dance probably benefitted from the gale force conditions rather than losing out.

More than 180 people struggled through the weather to the Hobby Horse ballroom in Minehead for an evening of fun which raised a staggering £3,100 for RNLI funds.

Minehead RNLI chairman Bryan Stoner said: “I'm sure the weather made more than a few people reflect on the commitment of a group of people who would willingly have put to sea to save lives that night, had the call come.”

The dance was the second the crew have organised since taking over responsibility for local fundraising a year ago.

Last year they were able to hand over nearly £32,000 to the RNLI - roughly a third of their station's annual running costs.

Mr Stoner added: “From the response we got to the second event, it's clear the dance has already become a very popular fixture on the local social calendar.

“It was a great team effort by the crew to raise quite so much in a single night, congratulations all round.”

The next major fundraiser will be a hog roast and jazz night, with local band the Darktown Strutters, taking place in the boathouse on May 24.

  • If you went along on Saturday evening and have any pictures you'd like to see in this week's County Gazette, email them to: danielle.morris@nqsw.co.uk.