A West Cumbrian supermarket has named Workington RNLI as its charity of the year.

Shoppers and staff of Sainsbury's in Cockermouth voted for the RNLI to be the supermarket's charity of the year.

Over the next 12 months, it means the supermarket will dedicate its fundraising activities for Workington Lifeboat and its crew.

Ella Holdsworth, charity co-ordinator from the Cockermouth Sainsbury’s store, said their fund-raising efforts over the last 15 years had resulted in substantial sums being presented each year to a wide range of local charities.

Ella added: "We are delighted to be able to support Workington RNLI in this way and to recognise the fantastic work they do saving lives in the Solway and for their tremendous support during the Cockermouth floods.

"We are really looking forward to working with them this year."

Ella, with her colleagues Dawn Peck and Lynn Cook visited the station and were welcomed by members of the Workington Lifeboat Fundraising team, operations manager Tim Chittenden, coxswain John Stobbart and several members of the Workington RNLI volunteer crew.

Workington RNLI's new lifeboat, the Dorothy May White, a £2.1million Shannon class vessel, was officially launched last month.

The Times & Star, the Whitehaven News and the RNLI, supported by Sellafield Ltd, launched the Lifeboat Appeal in June 2016 to help bring the £2.1 million vessel to the area.

Thanks to your generous donations, the appeal reached £142,000.

The new boat was named in honour of the woman whose legacy provided £1 million towards it and the Sir John Fisher Foundation also made a significant contribution.

The boat replaced the Sir John Fisher after 25 years of service.