Harry Roberts was brimming with pride recalling the day he travelled to Buckingham Palace with his wife Gill and two daughters Hayley and Amy to receive his award from Her Majesty.

He said: "It was a good day. It was the second time I'd met the Queen, I first met her here when she unveiled the Eric Morecambe statue in 1999.

"She was very friendly and had a chat with me about the lifeboat station and the hovercraft."

Harry received his silver medal in the shape of a cross along with around 100 other recipients in the ballroom at the palace watched proudly by family members.

He said: "Some people were knighted as well. I was very pleased to be honoured and it was a memorable day.

"My colleagues at the lifeboat station were very pleased for me but the honour is for the station as well.

"It's more than just me, it's teamwork. I can't do it without them."
Harry has been volunteering for Morecambe lifeboat station for 23 years and has another five years to go before he retires.

During his day job he is a decorator and is on call for whenever there is an emergency.

He added: "During the cockling disaster it was a very busy time but things seem to have settled down now."