IT wasn't a great evening for it but on Friday crowds of townspeople flocked to Lydney Docks to see a group of trim little pilot cutters lock in on the top of the tide.

As part of Lydney Yacht Club's 50th anniversary programme, members of the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters Association had agreed to hold their annual meeting at the Lydney club's headquarters.

"We are delighted to welcome them. The cutters are regarded as among the most beautiful of sailing craft. They were designed for a purpose and were highly regarded for their seaworthiness," said Lydney commodore Eric Witheridge.

Among the colourful vessels were the Mascotte, Peggy and Kindly Light. They were greeted by local sailors and cheers from crowds on the jetty. Their crews remained guests of the club until Sunday, when they took part in a race to Barry.

Owner of the Mascotte, Richard Topham, is a member of the Lydney club. Mr Witheridge has sailed with him on a passage from Swansea to Oban in Scotland. "It was a fantastic voyage," he said.

In the past cutters operated out of all the major ports including Gloucester and Sharpness. They often sailed miles down channel to meet incoming vessels to offer the services of a pilot.