Students from IW schools are being invited to nominate a class or group, from key stages 1 to 3, to build a mini lifeboat as part of an RNLI project.

Designs will be tested in a Float Off next year.

The competition is all part of a celebration of 200 years of the organisation, which was founded 1824.

The Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board was formed on December, 15 1859.

Its aim was to raise funds for the establishment of the Island’s first RNLI lifeboats, at Brook and Brighstone.

The lifesaving organisation is hoping its design challenge will teach valuable water safety lessons, and introduce young people to its work.

As well as the schools' challenge, from January 1 amateur Island photographers of all ages can submit digital images on the theme of Island Seas – Splendour and Safety.

The best will go on display and the winning photographers will be invited on a tour of a lifeboat station.

Both competitions will close on July 31.

Celebratory events are also planned for 2024, including an open day at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, in East Cowes.

There will be a service of commemoration at Brook Church – near the site of the Island’s first lifeboat station.