RNLI lifeboat volunteers have thanked Valero Pembroke Refinery for another generous summer fuel donation.

The donation has been made to both Angle and Tenby RNLI since 2005 and helps the stations’ volunteer crews save lives at sea.

Three lifeboat crew members from Angle and another from Tenby all work at the Pembroke refinery as employees and sub-contractors.

RNLI Angle’s deputy second coxswain, Alun Watkins, has been employed by Valero for 10 years, while second coxswain, Danny Richards and crew member, Adam Seaton, both work at the refinery as scaffolders on maintenance operations for Hertel UK.

Geoff Martin, who has been a crew member at Tenby RNLI for four years, has worked at the refinery for six years.

Alun - whose family’s link with the RNLI goes back to 1868 - said: "Fuel is one of the RNLI charity’s greatest costs and naturally we see an increase in consumption during the summer months. During this time, our volunteer crews are busier than ever saving lives at sea.

Figures for 2014 show that Angle RNLI’s lifeboats launched 45 times, rescuing 44 people. Tenby RNLI's lifeboats launched 60 times, rescuing 81 people and saving six lives last year.

The free fuel is collected and delivered to both Tenby and Angle without charge by K.P. Thomas Fuel Distribution.

Valero public affairs manager, Stephen Thornton, said: "Providing free fuel is Valero’s way of paying tribute to the RNLI’s brave volunteers who keep people living, working and visiting Pembrokeshire safe all year round."