An East Lothian woman has become the first female crew member at Dunbar Lifeboat Station to pass out in a command role.

Laura Kirkham, 43, achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a helm on Thursday, October 30, after being put through her paces during an intense assessment.

She is the longest-serving woman on the volunteer crew, marking 20 years' service next year, and is also a paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Originally from Cockburnspath, Laura was inspired to join the crew by a desire to help people. She said: "I grew up living by the coast and always wanted to help people out on the water."

Among her most memorable "shouts" was rescuing a dog called Fergus, who found himself cut off by the tide after chasing a bird in 2020.

She added: "That one sticks in the mi

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