THOUSANDS of people flocked to Barry Island to take part in the Barry RNLI's family fun day.

The annual event is part of the UK-wide fundraising campaign which aims to celebrate the lifeboat volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, every year, to save lives at sea.

The event was held on the Barry Island promenade and more than 15,000 people visited to lend support to the Barry Dock Lifeboat.

Visitors saw a variety water of sports providers, stalls, brass band and choir and all the money raised will go direct to ensuring the continual operation of Barry Lifeboat and others like it.

Chairwoman of the RNLI fundraising team, Avril Kitchen said: "While we were very lucky with the weather this year, with the support of the stallholders and the local community, our Mayday was extremely successful and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

"In conjunction with our lifeguards, the Barry Coastguard and the Yacht Club, our Barry lifeboats undertook an exercise in the Bay which was exciting for all to watch from the prom.

"It demonstrated the multi-agency co-ordination undertaken to ensure that both locals and visitors to our waters and beaches are given the best chance of survival when they get into difficulties.

"We are very lucky to have such a dedicated and professional team of volunteers from within our community and sometimes their efforts are overlooked.

"I hope this event has helped promote the work that they do and they are recognised as our own local lifesavers".