Its crew members have risked their lives to rescue those at trouble at sea for decades.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Wells lifeboat 150th anniversary. Phil, Angel and Darren Eaglen. Pictures: Wells lifeboatWells lifeboat 150th anniversary. Phil, Angel and Darren Eaglen. Pictures: Wells lifeboat (Image: Archant)

Now, the RNLI Wells Lifeboat Station is celebrating its 150th anniversary of being an RNLI station with a week of activities.

An exhibition showing a collection of paintings and photographs together with memorabilia opens at the Maltings, Staithe Street on Wednesday, July 10 and runs until Tuesday, July 16.

On Saturday, July 13, the outer harbour pontoons will be open to the public from 11am offering access to view historic lifeboats.

And then, at noon, the Chief Executive of the RNLI, Mark Dowie, will present the station with a commemorative vellum.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Wells lifeboat 150th anniversary. Phil, Angel and Darren Eaglen. Pictures: Wells lifeboatWells lifeboat 150th anniversary. Phil, Angel and Darren Eaglen. Pictures: Wells lifeboat (Image: Archant)

At 2pm the boathouse will be open to the public, and from 4.30pm, the Wells all-weather lifeboat, Doris M Mann of Ampthill, and the inshore lifeboat, Peter Wilcox, will lead a flotilla of lifeboats, past and present, through the main quay.

Visitors can watch the procession from the quay and the boats' return from the Beach Bank at the beach end.

Saving lives At Sea videos from the TV programme showing real-life rescues will be shown at The Maltings at 7pm on Thursday, July 11.

Meanwhile, at 7pm on Friday, July 12, there's a Fish & Chips Supper and Shanty Evening with The Blakeney Wild Rovers at Wells Sailing Club.

Fakenham & Wells Times: This beach photo is one of the exhibits at the 150th anniversary. Pictures: Wells lifeboatThis beach photo is one of the exhibits at the 150th anniversary. Pictures: Wells lifeboat (Image: Archant)

On Monday, July 15, at 7pm, The Perfect Storm with George Clooney will be shown at the Maltings Cinema.

And the lifeboat dinner will be at the Crown Hotel on Tuesday, July 16. All tickets, except the dinner, are on sale at the Maltings box-office.

Peter Rainsford, Wells Lifeboat chairman, said: "We want to make sure everyone has a good time and reflects what it means for the lifeboat crew to serve for such a long time in a small community."

The RNLI will also be honouring Phil Eaglen, 68, who has been a volunteer on the Wells Lifeboat crew for more than 50 years.

He will receive a 50-Year service badge while Fred Whittaker will receive his 40-Year Service badge and Martin Emerson, a 20-Year Service badge.

For more information, visit www.wellslifeboat.org/events.htm