Wind farm developer Dong Energy has signed a £120,000 deal to fund the running costs of Wells lifeboat for the next two years.

The firm, which is behind the Race Bank wind farm off the north Norfolk coast, said its new partnership with the RNLI station would provide further support to the local community.

Brent Cheshire, Dong's UK country chairman, said:

'The RNLI is a fantastic charity that does incredible work, and I am thrilled that we are now funding the boat running costs for the RNLI station in Wells. The RNLI saves lives at sea every day and as a company operating at sea ourselves, we know all about the extraordinary support that the RNLI provides to coastal communities.'

Neil Hancock, divisional operations manager at the RNLI, said: 'As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and fundraising, and so to know that our lifeboat running costs will be covered for the next two years is a huge boost.'

Along with Wells, Dong will also support stations at Barrow, Clacton, Humber, New Brighton and Ramsgate. All are close to the eight wind farms it operates around our coasts.