CREW on an oil rig have raised £500 for a lifeboat charity by playing pub games out at sea.

Around 450 miles from Middlesbrough, Teesside man Ted Law gathered crew on the rig where he was stationed to play darts, table tennis and other pub games to raise money for charity.

Around 30-40 people on board the Northern Producer rig raised £500 for The Staithes and Runswick lifeboat crew, based in North Yorkshire, which will be used for training.

“There’s not much else to do on the rig but play bar games and give money to charity," the 61-year-old, who has worked on rigs for over 30 years, said.

"The crew are all Freemasons and the biggest part of that is raising money for charity. It is just a way for us to take part in the community and to help those who are less fortunate."

Staithes and Runswick lifeboat volunteer Alex Williams, who also works on rigs, said: “The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) depends solely on donations to maintain their life saving activities, but quite often it is forgotten they also require investment in people to ensure crews are constantly manned and supported by skilled and competent personnel.

“This donation will go a long way to support new crew members through their training programs, which ensures lifesaving at sea will be available in our area for years to come.”

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute oversees 24-hour rescue services across the country, run by volunteers.

Mr Law said: “You never know when you will need a lifeboat.

“We are too far out that a boat wouldn’t be able to get to us, so we fly back via helicopter, but you always see images of those crashing. The first people who would come to our aid are the RNLI.”