Two decades of fundraising for the RNLI was marked on Saturday when the charity's Porthleven and District branch marked its 20th anniversary.

Formed on December 6, 1994, the branch has raised thousands of pounds over the years for the charity that saves lives at sea.

To mark its anniversary, members of today's committee, together with ex-committee members and helpers, gathered at the Atlantic Inn Porthleven on December 6 (Saturday) - the place where the original meetings were held - for a buffet lunch.

The branch was created when it was decided Porthleven should have its own branch to organise events such as Porthleven Lifeboat Day, which until that had point had been arranged by members of the then Helston & Porthleven RNLI.

Brian Buxton was the chairman, the late Peter Trueman was secretary and Mike Carter the treasurer.

Today Brian is the branch's president and is one of only two members of the original committee still involved, along with Jean Howard, who is the only one still serving on today's committee.

The present chairman Peter Boyd was unable to attend the anniversary as he was abroad marking his 70th birthday, so instead elected Jean to say a few words.

In her speech she remembered how as a newly formed branch in 1995/6, the first year as a fully established branch, members returned to headquarters the highest recorded amount of money raised by a new branch in the county.

Also included was regret that Lifeboat Day this year had to be cancelled but even so a profit was still made - something not often achieved. Vice chairman Anthony Hendy also said a few words.

As well as the buffet lunch there was a celebration cake cut jointly by Brian Buxton and Jean Howard.

A copy of each year's Lifeboat Day programme since 1980 had been kept and put on display, promoting much interest for several people who were there from the early days.

A board was also available displaying photos and newspaper cuttings, bringing back many happy memories of events over the years.

Photo by CH. Caption: Branch members for 20 years, Jean Howard and Brian Buxton cut the anniversary cake