The four-year-old has decided to forego Christmas presents this year and instead has given money people would have spent on him to charity.

Nicholas chose the RNLI after becoming fascinated by their work following a tour of one of their stations.

Now volunteers from the charity have had the chance to say thank you to the generous little boy at a special ceremony.

And they were joined by Portsmouth's Lord Mayor, Councillor Mike Blake, who was on hand to present four-year-old Nicholas with a Certificate of Thanks on behalf of the RNLI.

Nicholas donated £100 of his Christmas and birthday money to the charity.

His mother, Carolyn Ross, of Head Down, Petersfield, said: 'Nicholas is fascinated by boats and enjoys looking at photographs of the lifeboats in the RNLI magazines.

'We have tried to instill in him the importance of what the RNLI does for anyone who ventures out on the sea.

'When his dad Richie and I suggested that, this year, he might be willing to forego some of the many Christmas and birthday presents he usually receives, and ask for gifts of money to be given to charity instead, he readily agreed.

'Without prompting he chose the RNLI.

'We had a fabulous time at the lifeboat station and came away feeling enthusiastic about the RNLI.'

The RNLI's John Feltham said: 'We are delighted that someone so young should take an interest in lifeboats.

'The money he donated is very much appreciated and will go towards the all important training of our lifeboat crews.'

Cllr Blake was equally impressed with the youngster's generosity.

He said: 'It's brilliant that one so young is prepared to give up his pocket money and toys. I had a chat with him and he was a lovely lad. He knows quite a bit about the sea too.

'His parents are scuba divers and their love of the sea has rubbed off on him.'

The presentation ceremony included a tour of the Eastney RNLI station and a demonstration of the RNLI's lifeboats that are stationed there.