THE Royal National Lifeboat Institute has invested in a new fleet for the roads as part of its life-saving operations. The organisation has invested in 22 Toyota Hilux vehicles for the launch of its Beach Rescue Service.

Online leasing firm Tusker Direct is providing the vehicles, which were taken on following a pilot programme to examine the benefits of providing the service. Each vehicle, supplied under a three-year deal, will be loaded with emergency equipment to enable beach rescue lifeguards to respond fully prepared to incidents on the shore.

David Tidman, RNLI transport manager, said: 'As a charity, we have to be very careful how we spend money, but operational requirements often have to play a major part in the decision-making process.'