Falmouth RNLI has paid tribute to a much-loved member of the lifeboat station.

Described as a "diamond geezer" Ken Avis passed away on the 8th February following a lengthy illness.

Ken joined the Falmouth Lifeboat crew in 1990 and was quickly known by the crew as "Ken the Teapot" following his donation of a brand-new teapot for the stations Arun Class Lifeboat "Elizabeth Ann".

He was described by many as a diamond geezer who was a proud cockney with a mechanical flare who could turn his hand to anything and spent a lot of time helping support the mechanics in looking after the lifeboat.

Ken took part in many shouts on the All Weather Lifeboat during the 1990's before retiring from the lifeboat in 2000, he then took on the role of launcher of the Inshore Lifeboat turning out day or night, in any weather eventually hanging up his boots a few years ago.

A spokesperson for the Falmouth RNLI team said:

"He will be sorely missed by his wife Marie, son Philip and daughter Amanda, their family and friends, along with all of us on at the Falmouth Lifeboat Station."

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