THE first hovercraft rescue service in the United Kingdom is to be launched at Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, and will provide cover in the Morecambe Bay area.

Patron of the service Lord Cavendish is to officially name the rescue craft 'Lady Ada' at a ceremony to be held at Abbott Hall (next to the Kents Bank Railway station) on Saturday, August 11.

Grange-over-Sands Search and Rescue team member Gary Parson said that the specially built five-seater Osprey hovercraft will work alongside the existing coastguard and fire and rescue services.

Following the naming ceremony, the Bay Hovercraft Rescue committee will begin recruiting volunteers for duties including hovercraft pilots, supports crew, and base control staff.

All the money for the hovercraft has been raised locally.