LIFEBOAT stations along the east coast had one of their busiest times last year despite the wet summer.

New statistics from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescued an average of 21 people every day around the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

In the North-East and North Yorkshire, the number of launches and rescues was slightly up on the previous year, which had been the busiest ever.

Bosses of the emergency search and rescue charity will now examine the number and type of call-outs for its 330-strong fleet of lifeboats to see where future funding should be allocated.

The busiest station overall was Tower Pier, on the River Thames, which was launched 322 times and rescued 134 people, while in the North-East, Sunderland was the most stretched with 73 launches and 79 rescues.

Whitby's lifeboat was dispatched 56 times and rescued 43 people, while Tynemouth went out 54 times for 63 people, and Hartlepool rescued 61 during 51 call-outs.

Andrew Ashton, RNLI divisional inspector for the north, said: "While the number of launches to fishing and commercial vessels remains steady, the ever-increasing popularity of coastal leisure activities such as sailing, diving and jetskiing means RNLI volunteer crews have been as busy as ever this year, despite one of the wettest summers ever.

"By monitoring our activity and analysing the type of rescues carried out, we are able to plan the allocation of RNLI resources to meet future needs."

Last year, a total of 7,656 launches were made by the charity and 7,507 rescues were made.

Operations director Michael Vlasto said: "As 2005 is the Year of the Volunteer, our particular thanks go to all our crews across the UK and Republic of Ireland for their continued commitment, selflessness and dedication."