TWO large prints of a world famous nineteenth century lifeboat have been handed to a seaside museum to keep its memory alive.

An impressive painting of the Zetland lifeboat caught the eyes of crew members from Redcar at a Morrisons supermarket.

They approached the store to acquire their own copies of the painting, produced by Whitby artist John Freeman to mark the bi-centenary of the boat.

The huge prints, which measure 8ft by 5ft 6in and 6ft by 4ft 2in, were handed over during a presentation last week.

They will now be proudly positioned in the Redcar boathouse and the Zetland Museum.

The Zetland was built in 1802 by pioneer lifeboat builder Henry Greathead at a cost of £200. He went on to build a total of 31 lifeboats from 1789 to 1803.

The 30ft Zetland, which served Redcar and passing seafarers from 1802 until 1880, helped to save more than 500 lives and is the only remaining Henry Greathead lifeboat.

In 2003 the National Historic Ships Committee included the Zetland on its list of UK historic ships that should be preserved.

It was considered to be 'of extraordinary maritime importance' - the only lifeboat to be given such recognition.

Roy Barker, former member of the Redcar lifeboat crew and vice-chairman of the family Zetland Lifeboat Museum, said: "I would like to thank Morrisons for helping us acquire these wonderful prints.

"The Zetland is both a locally and nationally important piece of maritime history."

Paul Lee, general store manager of Morrisons, at Redcar, said: "I am delighted to present the Redcar Lifeboat Station with their own prints of the Zetland lifeboat.

"We are very keen to help the local community to recognise the proud history of the RNLI in Redcar."