RNLI crews are often described as heroes – but people in Looe know their RNLI crew members are superheroes.

Several crew members were still in fancy dress when they answered a shout in the early hours of New Year’s Day after flares were seen off Hannafore and Looe Island.

Superman, Spiderman and Bananaman were among the heroes spotted racing through the streets – pursued by Donald Trump.

The shout turned out to be a false alarm, and there was a serious side to the story: the RNLI said letting off distress flares is an offence. Answering such calls costs money and potentially puts lives at risk.

Looe operations manager Dave Haines said the person responsible had been spoken to.