A 'lifejacket clinic' at the Fowey Gallants Sailing Club proved a success on Saturday when just 12 out of a total of 184 jackets checked by experts had to be condemned.

RNLI officials say the free clinic held in Fowey on Saturday, and organised by a volunteer member of the RNLI crew, had seen an improvement on previous years when around 20 per cent of lifejackets were thrown away.

A total of 54 people visited the clinic, many of whom were regulars, while 18 were new visitors.

Marcus Lewis, organiser and RNLI crew volunteer, said later: 'Most of the lifejackets we were able to look at on the day, although a few were taken away to be serviced or repaired in Plymouth. But out of the 184, only 12 were condemned, which is a great improvement on the first few years we have held the clinic.'

He said that of the 12 disposed of, three had been damaged by mice, three were punctured, three were unserviceable because the necessary parts were unavailable, and three had firing mechanisms that are now obsolete or condemned.

Several other lifejackets had loose cylinders, or defects that would have compromised their ability to work properly.

Representatives from the National Coastwatch Institution also attended the clinic, using the opportunity to explain their role, and appeal for more volunteers.

The Golant Boatwatch Team had a display of their work, and leaflets explaining the need to be vigilant on the water and to keep your property safe.

In addition, local PCSO Lloyd Paynter spent the day talking to waiting customers about marine crime and how to avoid being a victim.