Relatives of the victims of a tragedy which claimed 31 lives in 1966 have joined residents of Mylor at a 50th anniversary memorial reception.

On July 31, 1966, the pleasure cruiser Darlwyne was lost while returning to Mylor from a day trip to Fowey with two crew and 29 passengers on board. The boat was never found, the sinking was never fully explained, and only 12 of the bodies were ever recovered.

Exactly 50 years later, the families of two of those lost were among 60 guests at Tremayne Hall in Mylor for a reception in memory of the tragedy.

The evening began with a talk by author Martin Banks, who read extracts from his book about the sinking of the Darlwyne, before singer Francis Mogg sang a song he had written about the tragedy, and former RNLI crewmember and David Barnicoat gave his memories of the event.

Mr Barnicoat, now the Packet's shipping correspondent, is the only surviving member of the Falmouth crew which set out to look for the Darlwyne, and event organiser Jill Quilliam said his "first hand account" of the event was "very well received."

Mrs Quilliam said: "I think it was a well received evening, everybody was pleased to support and recognise the 50th anniversary, and to remember it for both the families and for Mylor."

The flag over the Tremayne Hall flew at half mast during the day, and the attendees all observed a brief silence to remember those lost.

There was also a collection for the RNLI, and after the remembrances there was a finger buffet for all who attended.