Lifeboat crews in Falmouth have joined a plea for more funds to help save lives at sea.

The crew is part of the RNLI’s biggest fundraising effort of the year, SOS Day.

The shout for help to refill the coffers comes as the RNLI released figures showing lifeboat rescues in the South West rose by 14 per cent from 2007.

The number of rescues by lifeguards on the region’s beaches also rose to 9,801.

Falmouth was the third busiest RNLI station in the South West, with the inshore and offshore life boats launching 104 times.

Perranporth was the busiest beach for lifeguards in Cornwall with 490 separate incidents, involving 549 people.

Carrick was the busiest area overall in the South West with 1,219 incidents.

Simon Pryce, RNLI divisional inspector for the South West, said: “On average the volunteer lifeboat crews and the RNLI lifeguards in the South West helped 31 people a day in 2008 and over the last five years our lifesaving charity has rescued over 47,000 people around the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

“These figures explain why we need continued support from the public at a time when many may be feeling the financial pinch.

"Many of those we assist would not have survived their ordeal without the bravery, skill and training of our volunteer lifeboat crews and our lifeguards.

To make a contribution visit www.rnli.org/sos or call 08451 214999.