A special service of celebration and rededication of the lifeboat is being held on Sunday on the beach beside the station.

Crew members and former crew members will join 200 supporters of the crew.

The Dowager Duchess of Northumberland is to attend the event and unveil a memorial plaque to the six men who lost their lives on the Cullercoats Lifeboat in 1939.

We've done our best to raise public awareness of the lifeboats

Frank Taylor, crew member

Former director of the RNLI, Lieutenant Commander Brian Miles, is also due to attend the service.

Frank Taylor, one of the crew members, said the day would be very special.

"To us it's a very big deal," he said.

"We've done our best to raise public awareness of the lifeboats and worked to celebrate the event."

The service begins at 1400 BST and is to include music from Backworth Male Voice Choir and the Newcastle Concert Band.

The choir will sing a new song by Cullercoats composer George Robson and Sheila Johnson from Vancouver, entitled "God Rest the Sailor Duke".

It celebrates the philanthropic Duke of Northumberland who provided lifeboats for Cullercoats, Newbiggin and Hauxley in 1852.