A FAMOUS lifeboat that has helped save 224 lives will remain at Heybridge Basin for the time being – with open days for the public this weekend.

The Sir William Arnold has been beautifully restored and will eventually be moving back to its home at St Katharine Docks in London.

The 52ft Arun class lifeboat was built in 1973 and spent all of its active career in St Peter Port, Guernsey.

Featuring among the dramatic rescues the lifeboat was involved in is the rescue of the crew and passengers of Bonita, which was listing heavily in winds gusting to hurricane force 12 with 50ft waves. Twenty-nine people were carried to safety on board the boat, including women and children. The coxswain won the RNLI's gold medal for gallantry and the lifeboat crew received bronze medals.

Groups of up to five people can be pre-booked online, with the next open days today (Saturday, 10 October) and tomorrow (Sunday, 11 October). Guided talk times are at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.

The cost is £12 per person and details and more information can be found on the Lifeboat 5202 website here.