The Hunstanton RNLI station launched 40 times in 2006, and rescued 33 people, compared with 27 launches and 15 people rescued in 2005, new figures revealed this week.

The news comes as the appeal for a new replacement inshore lifeboat reaches a massive £70,000 – with just £55,000 to go until the target is reached.

Figures released by the charity on Wednesday showed Hunstanton was the second busiest RNLI station in Norfolk, closely behind Gorleston which rescued 38 people.

More than half of the rescues at Sunny Hunny happened in June, July and August last year when holidaymakers flocked to coastal beaches and when tens of sailors were capsized by a mini tornado which ripped through a sailing event.

The Atlantic 75, DJS Haverhill lifeboat, was launched 23 of the 40 times, and the hovercraft dealt with 17 call outs to people stranded in shallow waters and mud.

Rescues included 12 people who were cut off by the tide and stranded on sandbanks, eight from vessels which had encountered adverse weather conditions or suffered engine failure, several water sports enthusiasts and a number using inflatables.

Crews also helped when an RAF Marham Tornado crashed into The Wash in October, and also found youngsters who had been reported missing.

Martyn Smith, RNLI inspector for the East Anglia division, said: "Worryingly, while some boat-related incidents such as machinery failure and fouled propellers seem to be on the way down, the number of people trapped on sandbanks, or cut off by the tide has gone up.

"The number of people on inflatables, dinghies and power boats requiring help has also increased."

Last year the RNLI's annual UK running costs topped £120 million and, as a registered charity, has to rely on voluntary donations and legacies and receives no Government funding.