Lucy led the way as a record number of historic boats set sail for a flotilla.

Thousands gathered around the harbour for the Wells Maritime Festival on Saturday.

The flotilla before it set off around the harbour at Wells The flotilla before it set off around the harbour at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lucy Lavers leads the way as the historic craft set offLucy Lavers leads the way as the historic craft set off (Image: Chris Bishop)

The flotilla makes its way around the harbour at WellsThe flotilla makes its way around the harbour at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

And the first to cast off as horns sounded and engines sputtered into life was Lucy Lavers.

The former RNLI lifeboat was built to save lives for the crew at Aldeburgh, in Suffolk, and her first 'shout' was rescuing soldiers from the advancing Germans on the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940.

Lucy Lavers leading the flotilla at WellsLucy Lavers leading the flotilla at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lucy Lavers leading the flotilla at WellsLucy Lavers leading the flotilla at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lucy Lavers leading the flotilla at WellsLucy Lavers leading the flotilla at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

She was relaunched in 2015 after being restored by the Stiffkey-based charity Rescue Wooden Boats, which operates a marine heritage centre in the village.

A few yards astern was Harvester, a Wells whelker built in 1951 for local fisherman Sid 'Custard' Cooper, which was donated to Rescue Wooden Boats.

A wooden fishing boat heads out of the harbour at WellsA wooden fishing boat heads out of the harbour at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Heading out of the harbour along the beach at WellsHeading out of the harbour along the beach at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

The flotilla heads back into port at WellsThe flotilla heads back into port at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

The flotilla heads back into port at WellsThe flotilla heads back into port at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

The flotilla heads back into port at WellsThe flotilla heads back into port at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Some 20 other vessels took part including Rummy 3, a pleasure cruiser on the Broads which was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1940 to serve as a fire float.

After setting off from Tugboat Yard on the rising tide, the boats set off around the harbour lined by crowds, before heading out past the lifeboat station, before turning back for home.  

Gladiator takes part in the flotilla at WellsGladiator takes part in the flotilla at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Sally takes part in the flotilla at WellsSally takes part in the flotilla at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lucy Lavers returns to Wells after leading the flotillaLucy Lavers returns to Wells after leading the flotilla (Image: Chris Bishop)