AN historic restored lifeboat visited Harwich en route to recreating its incredible Second World War rescue.

Lucy Lavers arrived, flanked by both modern-day Harwich RNLI lifeboats, and was docked by coxswain Paul Smith on Friday as it replicated the route it took when it evacuated British and allied troops from France as part of Operation Dynamo in 1940.

The crew sailed from Aldeburgh to Ramsgate before setting off to Dunkirk during the daring mission.

She was restored by charity Rescue Wooden Boats, and trustee Wendy Pritchard has been delighted with the response from the public as the boat visited seven towns across East Anglia. She said: “We have had a fantastic reaction from people and the welcome we got in Harwich was wonderful.

“As a charity, our main aim is to restore boats and tell their story – Lucy Lavers was sold to us for £1 and it all went from there.

“We have been filming everything about her as we visited the towns in East Anglia and have already had several hundred school children aboard her.

“It is important for people to understand our maritime history and to have the children on board is a great privilege.”

For more information about the project, and to follow the remainder of the journey, go to rescuewood enboats.com