Lifeboat station volunteers strike Gold

Three lifeboat station volunteers at Happisburgh have been recognised for their long service.

Peter Poll, Rita Poll and Philip Smith have been awarded the RNLI's Gold badge for their commitment to the charity which saves lives at sea,

Peter joined the Happisburgh shop sales team in 1989 and became responsible for ordering stock and pricing of all goods in the shop and continues to bank the money raised. He also served as vice-chairman of the station's management committee.

His wife, Rita, joined the shop sales team in June 1987 and is still there today. Over the years she has assisted her husband, Peter, with stalls at many outside functions and helped with the emptying of collection boxes.

Philip first got involved with the RNLI at Cromer Lifeboat Station, helping his grandfather, who was boathouse manager in the 1960s.

He joined the crew of the D Class boat, before joining the RAF on the Air Sea Rescue Launches, as a deckhand, rising to coxswain. He still helped at Cromer throughout his service.

In 1984 he joined the crew at Happisburgh and in 1994 he took on the role of station press officer, a role he still holds.

Philip was awarded a long service award for 20 years on the crew and a RNLI Statuette for his valuable support of the lifeboat service - the same award his father, Jim Smith, received in 2000 for 21 years service as Honorary Secretary of Cromer Lifeboat Station.

The presentation was made by the RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier at Blackfriars Hall in Norwich.