Pwllheli's all-weather lifeboat played its part in a unique journey to mark the RNLI's 200th anniversary.

Volunteers travelled with the Shannon Class lifeboat to MediaCity in Salford Quays for an event marking the anniversary of the world's first street collection.

It also took part in the final leg of a 11-day journey for a time capsule, which had travelled from Silloth in Cumbria - with every RNLI crew in the North West of England given the chance to add something to its collection.

Sophie Wood, RNLI Community Manager said: "This event was a fantastic way to close our 200th anniversary year in the North West. We commemorated the lifesavers of the past that have contributed to our history, celebrated our crew today, and hopefully inspired the next generation of supporters, lifeboat volunteers and fundraisers."

‘For 200 years, we’ve relied on the generosity of everyday people – from seafaring crew to fundraisers and supporters, they’re all lifesavers and make the RNLI what it is, so this is for them."

‘It’s important that we’re connecting our people in this way and collecting mementos from each station to be sealed away for fifty years, so those crew that we inspire on this journey can look back in 2074, when the charity is 250 years old."

After visiting eleven stations across Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside, the all-weather lifeboat from Pwllheli - the Smith Brothers, which was powered by biofuel - took the time capsule to its final destination at Salford Quays.

The capsule itself contains a navigational chart plotting each leg of the journey, signed by representatives from each station and the charity’s chief executive, crew tea and coffee lists, and RNLI clothing, among other items. Also included was a special notebook for the public to share thoughts, messages of support, of what the RNLI means to them today.

Graeme Harold, a crew member at RNLI Pwllheli, said: "It was great to support the event, and for the public to meet the RNLI people and fleet."

"It was also a fantastic training opportunity for some of the Pwllheli lifeboat crew, having go at various roles on the lifeboat. It was an invaluable opportunity to do something different and see what the lifeboat can do in different waters."

The first Lifeboat Saturday took place in the streets of Manchester on Saturday 10th October 1891, when a lifeboat was paraded along the cobbles to drum up support for the charity following a disaster.

Five years earlier, 27 men from Southport and St Anne’s died while trying to rescue sailors from the stricken vessel Mexico.

The anniversary time capsule will be put on display at the Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Museum in Lancashire.