AN HISTORIC milestone has been marked with a blooming marvellous display in Dunbar.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) 200th anniversary has been commemorated with a striking floral display off the town’s Belhaven Road.

Dunbar Lifeboat Station actually predates the RNLI, which was formed in 1824. The county station was formed in 1808 and is among the oldest in Scotland.

Ian Wilson, Dunbar RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: “Dunbar lifeboat crew are honoured and delighted to see this beautiful recognition of 200 years of saving lives at sea.

“What a wonderful reminder of the heroic efforts of generations of ordinary people crewing lifeboats from Dunbar, and the amazing efforts of all of our supporters, without whom we would not be able to operate.”

Preparation and planting for the horticultural highlight, which is located in front of the town’s police station and fashion school, took two East Lothian Council workers a week to complete.

The display is made up mainly of traditional carpet bedding plants, such as deep red sedum, silver echeveria and gold pyrethrum for the letters and numbers.

Gordon Whitelaw, East Lothian Council depot manager, was pleased with the result.

He said: “We chose the RNLI this year as it is their 200th anniversary.

“Being a seaside town, the RNLI have served this area well over 200 years.

“Following discussion with them locally, we thought this would be a fitting tribute to the organisation.”