THE RNLI has been forced to cancel four of it 's most popular events due to the persistent impact of Covid-19.

In a blow to the life saving charity, the crew at the Rhyl Lifeboat Station will lose a major portion of its revenue stream this summer.

While the service is still fully operational during lock down, it has had to cancel the RNLI Dyserth Duck Race which was set to take place at Dyserth Waterfalls on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25.

Rhyl Journal:

The annual RNLI Duck Race will no longer go ahead this month. Picture: Facebook/ Rhyl RNLI

Other events, whose dates hadn't been finalised but were due to take place between June and August , include the colourful Rhyl RNLI Raft Race, the 53 Degrees North Music Festival and the Rhyl RNLI Open Day.

A spokesperson for Rhyl RNLI said: "Due to the ongoing situation of the Covid-19 outbreak we have had to take the unfortunate decision to cancel all our fundraising and public family events this summer.

"This is in the interest of public safety, and that of our volunteers.

"These represent our station's main fundraising events during the year, as a charity we rely on the public's kind donations to continue our lifesaving work along the coast."

The events, particularly the raft race which would have been held at Rhyl harbour for it sixth year, have increasingly become mainstays of the town's summer schedule.

While the Welsh Government is due to review social distancing measures in about three weeks, this pre-emptive cancellation follows the station's early decision to scale back public interaction on Tuesday, March 17 - six days before the rest of the country went into lock down.

While the charity's all weather and inshore lifeboats will remain operation, with the crew - including five new members - taking part in online training sessions.

Rhyl RNLI volunteer press officer Paul Frost said: "We are still fully operational, but having to abide by the Welsh Government's guidelines on social distancing where possible. We still continue to be there to save lives at sea.

"Due to the severe lack of funds envisaged coming in to the RNLI this year, the executive are constantly monitoring the situation, and delivering our service in the most cost-effective way."

To support the charity, donations can be made via the 'Rhyl RNLI' Facebook page.