Lifeboat crews around the East Anglian coast rescued more than 700 people in 2010 - an increase on the previous year.

RNLI officials say the rise continues to reflect the trend towards more holidaying at home and the growing interest in leisure boating.

In North Norfolk Cromer lifeboats launched 11 times rescuing nine casualties, Happisburgh picked up three people from seven 'shouts,' and Sheringham were launched five times but without any rescues to their credit according to figures just released by the RNLI.

Eastern region crews went to the aid of 782 people during 632 launches, compared to 633 people and 769 launches in 2009.

Busiest Norfolk station was Great Yarmouth and Gorleston which rescued 165 people from 53 launches.

As in 2009, incidents involving sail and power pleasure craft continued to account for over 50 per cent of all launches.

RNLI East Divisional Inspector Andrew Ashton said: 'East Anglian lifeboat crews continue to carry out a vital service, rescuing many grateful people, whose fate, without our service, may have been very different.

'Our dedicated volunteers go out to sea in all types of weather conditions, including icy rain and gale force winds, and they're ready to drop everything as soon as their pagers go off to help save lives.'

RNLI lifeguards in Norfolk were also kept busy, responding to 530 incidents during the summer season and continuing to ensure that the beaches were kept safe.

Across the UK and Republic of Ireland lifeboats spent a total of 10,758 hours (448 days) at sea in 2010, actively rescuing 8,313 people (22 every day), the highest number in the RNLI's history.

The RNLI, a charity that is independent of government and reliant on donations, is urging the public to respond to its own call for help by supporting RNLI SOS Day tomorrow Friday 28. To find out more or make a donation, log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos or call 0845 121 4999.