By Evanna Holland

Scotland's youngest RNLI crew member has received his pager and is ready to attend call outs with the charity just a month after his 17th birthday.

Kieran Fairbairn, who is still at school, has followed in his father's footsteps after completing his training on the all-weather and inshore lifeboats.

His father Gary has been coxswain in Dunbar for 16 years.

He was awarded the bronze medal - and his crew medal certificates - for bravery after the rescue in May 2009 of a couple from their stricken yacht in force 9 winds and 10m waves.

Kieran said: "I've always wanted to join the crew since I was younger, with my dad being the coxswain full time.

"Just seeing what they do, what they've been doing with everybody as a charity I've always thought I wanted to join."

The schoolboy has been granted special dispensation by Dunbar Grammar to attend call outs, and can leave any time there's an emergency.

Kieran joins a long list of Fairbairns who have been rescuing lives at sea.

His great-great-great-great grandfather Walter, saved 40 men back in 1905 from disaster.

He received a silver medal for gallantry from the RNLI.

Kieran's father said: "Absolutely,[proud], you know it's always going to be your son, but yeah just have to take extra care to look after him, don't want to hurt him."

And now Kieran's sister Jodie, 14, is keen to become the next Fairbairn aboard the charity's lifeboats.