A helicopter observer from RNAS Culdrose will look back at six decades of naval search and rescue operations at Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum next week.

Lieutenant Commander Andy Watts, of 771 Naval Air Squadron at the Helston naval base, will be reliving some of the most daring rescues carried out in the past 60 years, since the rescue service was formed in 1953.

This was as a result of an operation by 705 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Gosport, in which 840 people were rescued in seven hours of flying.

The early years of helicopter search and rescue will be part of the talk by Lieutenant Commander Watts next Wednesday, February 27 at 6.30pm.

The audience will also hear recollections of famous rescues and see how modern day operations are conducted.

Lieutenant Commander Watts said: “Most people in Cornwall will have seen our red and grey helicopters flying across the Cornish coastline on daring rescue missions.

“This talk is a wonderful opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the work that we do and get answers to those questions you’ve always wanted to ask.”

Tickets for the lecture, entitled 60 Years Saving Lives, are available from the Maritime Museum costing £8 for the lecture only or £18 to include a two-course buffet. Doors and bar open from 6pm. To book seats call 01326 214546.