Burnham on Crouch and West Mersea Lifeboat volunteer crew members will now NOT challenge each other at the annual ‘Cricket at the Buxey Sands’ match on Sunday 19^th July.

The decision has been taken this morning that the match will not go ahead due to the weather forecast for later on this afternoon.

Ray Clark, BBC Essex Radio Presenter and Patron of the Burnham Lifeboat Station Floating Boathouse Appeal had hoped to be commentating live on the event from the Sands, which was also to be filmed live for local TV.

A fleet of boats in varying shapes and sizes were expected to join the crew, their friends and families for what was expected to be another fun filled day – hopefully in the sun.

Whilst the cricket match is designed to be a fun day out for all, it also encourages team work between the flank stations – an important part of the role for all crew. The stations have been required to work together on a number of occasions where team work and communication have played a vital role in the successful outcome of search and rescue operations in particular.

It is hoped the public will join the crews at this unusual location at another date to be confirmed, to watch the fun and speak to the volunteer crews and support staff about the role the RNLI plays in saving lives at sea.