A STALWART of Poole's RNLI lifeboat has hung up his pager following a quarter-of-a-century's service and more than 1,000 'shouts'.

Senior Helm Gavin McGuinness came to Poole in the late 1980s, becoming a fisherman.

He joined the RNLI lifeboat crew as a volunteer in 1993, although he'd attempted to join earlier after one of his friends was lost at sea.

Gavin, an avid AFCB fan, was sent a video message from Cherries legend Steve Fletcher during his farewell breakfast, which was held on Poole Quay with past and present crew.

"We all join for our own reasons, " Gavin told those gathered. "But the reason we stay is the camaraderie which is at the heart of the station. And you need to keep the camaraderie, keep the heart to make it work.

"Keep on doing what you're doing and keep the waters safe."

Fellow crewman Jonathan Clark, who has served alongside Gavin all these years, said: "It is the end of an era and it will be strange without Gavin alongside on the crew list.

"We have been through an awful lot together, some good and some not so good times.

"I very much respect his commitment and dedication and for all the hours, literally years, he has spent with the pager at his side on duty.

"You think of all the experiences and the differences Gav has made and you think about all the rescues, the outcomes.

"I will always remember the chain ferry rescue in 2001, when Gav was Helm and right in the thick of the rescue."

Gavin received a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI following the rescue.

During a dinghy race in Poole Harbour one of the small vessels was sucked underneath the Sandbanks chain ferry.

A 72-year-old woman, who went under the ferry with the boat, was rescued by the RNLI.

Two men were also pulled from the water during the drama.

A Poole RNLI spokesman said: "The people of Poole and water-users are indebted to likes of you Gavin for your diligent service.

"The station wish him well and hope that he will enjoy his life without the pager and that he takes in what he achieved, being an integral part of Poole Lifeboat station as one of the busiest accomplished volunteer helms."