The event was held at Portrush Lifeboat Station on Kerr Street and saw the long anticipated launch of "From Laura To Katie", an account of the 150 years of lifeboat service in the town. The story brings the history right up to date and ends with the recent loss of the "Katie Hannan".

Written by former journalist and editor, Hugh McGrattan, who was born and bred in the town, the book covers the history of the lifeboat service in Portrush, many of the characters associated with the service and records many of the heroic deeds and actions of the volunteers down through the years.

Attending the launch was Paul Clark from UTV, a long serving supporter of the RNLI and the Portrush lifeboat in particular. Congratulating Hugh on his book, Paul paid tribute to the many men and women who had served on the lifeboats and remembered all those who had been saved by the RNLI over the years.

Author Hugh, spoke of the honour he felt in writing the book. He said: "I realise what an honour it is to tell the story of the brave men and women who have manned the lifeboat in Portrush, in the highest traditions, for 150 years."

He said that the book was the realisation of a long held dream and thanked the many people who had assisted in the production of the book.

The book, priced £15.00, is on sale at the Lifeboat Shop at Kerr Street and will also be available soon at other outlets in the area.