THE countdown to Swanage Lifeboat Week is ticking down, with a host of events set to take place around town.

An open golf competition at Isle of Purbeck Golf Club get proceedings underway on August 9, before Swanage’s lifeboat station opens to the public the following day alongside a string of other weekend events.

As usual, Prince Albert Gardens will become the focus for much of the fun.

However, attractions – including sailing races, quiz nights, gig racing, raft racing, a fun run, a boat building competition and race – take place at various other venues and in Swanage Bay.

The culmination of the fundraising week, which this year supports Swanage’s £200,000 new RNLI lifeboat station appeal, is the Prince Albert Gardens August 17/18 festival and fair.

Thousands of people regular attend this festival, which is the perfect antidote for those already missing the fun of the Swanage Regatta and Carnival, which comes to the end earlier in August.

Swanage lifeboat crewman Dave Turnbull said: “It would be great to see as many people at one or more of our events and help us raise £200,000 towards our new lifeboat station.”

The RNLI launched an appeal last month to help bankroll Swanage’s new lifeboat station.

Set to open in 2015 – in time for the arrival of the charity’s £1.5 million Shannon class lifeboat – it will be developed at the current boathouse site in Peveril Point Road.

A substantial legacy already provides a large contribution towards the station’s costs, but another £200,000 needs to be raised over the next two years.

Visit swanagelifeboat.org.uk.