A GROUP of retired Whitby fishermen with a combined experience of 500 years at sea have gathered to share their memories.

The event was organised by one of Whitby’s seafood restaurants, the Fisherman’s Wife, to celebrate the town’s fishermen and their families.

The guests were served fish, chips and mushy peas and were treated to a performance by Whitby Community Choir. They then shared their old photographs of life at sea when Whitby was one of the country’s biggest fishing ports.

The event, which tied in with this week’s National Seafood Week was also a chance to re-connect with former fellow fishermen and meet new people from the local community.

Ronnie Frampton, 83, fished for more than 60 years and worked for the local RNLI lifeboat station after his fishing days.

He said: “This a brilliant day to meet everyone who’s been at sea for a long time.

“Our fishing days were tough at sea, but it’s in our blood. Days like today are what the town needs. I’ve had a fantastic time.”

Whitby’s Mayor Noreen Wilson attended with members of Whitby’s lifeboat station and Julie Snowden, from Seafish, the organisers of Seafood Week.