Tributes have been paid to a long-time supporter of the RNLI in west Dorset who has died.

Rob Michael was the chairman of the Lyme Regis RNLI fundraising committee for 10 years.

The committee runs Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week and is a huge fundraiser for the charity. Mr Michael was awarded a bronze medal by the RNLI for his hard work.

He then moved to Weymouth and for almost five years was the branch chairman of Weymouth Lifeboat Management Group. He stepped down in the summer due to ill health. The management group he ran oversaw the running of the station.

The crowds who gathered for Weymouth RNLI's annual carol service on Friday night were told that Mr Michael had died.

The station flag was being flown at half mast as a sign of respect.

Weymouth RNLI said it was "with great sadness" it had learnt of the death of Mr Michael, who passed away on December 19.

Lifeboats Operations Manager Nicki Ayling said: "He was a lovely man who will be dearly missed. Clearly dedicated to his voluntary works with the RNLI, he contributed a great deal to Weymouth and Lyme Regis lifeboat stations."