LOOKOUT stations along the Dorset coast have been given a boost by HRH The Princess Royal.

The Princess Royal has agreed to accept patronage of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI), which oversees lookout stations at St Alban's Head, near Worth Matravers; Peveril Point, Swanage; Portland Bill and Burton Bradstock.

A spokesman for St Alban's Head NCI lookout said: "This is tremendous news for the charity and a great recognition of the contributions and achievements that NCI makes in ensuring safety around the UK coastline.

"The Princess Royal has been a supporter of, and has taken an interest in, the work carried out by the NCI since its inception in 1994, and it is with great pride that the NCI welcomes her as the organisation's Royal Patron."

The NCI is a national charity, funded entirely by donations from the public and sponsorship from business, whose 2,400 trained volunteers run 52 lookout stations around the coast of England and Wales throughout the year.

The lookouts, which oversee coastal waters and the immediate coastline, report directly to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the emergency services, acting as their 'eyes along the coast'.

Since January 1, more than 300 incidents have been recorded - including vessels, kayakers, swimmers and coast walkers, in distress, and involving coastguard helicopters and rescue teams, the RNLI, police and ambulance services.