The pull was a major event in a week of activities to mark the 150th anniversary of the RNLI in the town.

RNLI volunteers and coastguards from Hastings and neighbouring stations formed the crew which moved the 1887-built Queen Victoria from The Stade to Bo Beep.

The route was chosen because before motor boats were introduced, lifeboats used to be launched from the Bo Peep area to deal with an emergency at sea when a south westerly gale was blowing.

Horses would have drawn oar and sail powered vessels along the seafront road to be launched.

Among the crew pulling the Queen Victoria were three students from The Grove.

Krystal Travis, 15, Claire Moseley, 17 and Nikita Carter, 17, all from St Leonards, got involved after spending time at Hastings RNLI lifeboat station as part of their Douke of Edinburgh Silver Award.

"The lifeboat pull was really fun and great to be a part of," said Nikita. Her friend Krystal added: "It was hard to pull from a standing start. I could feel the effort on my shoulders."

The town's lifeboat Fairlight, carried on a transporter, formed part of the parade and police cordoned off part of the A259 for the procession to take place.

The week of celebrations culminated with a fireworks display on Sunday evening.