Thirteen officers received awards at the Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, on Monday night, recognising their contribution to saving 70 anglers who were stranded in thick fog on Talacre beach in February 2007.

The members of the Rhyl and Flint team had been called to the beach after reports a small boat had run aground, but they arrived to find a much greater task awaiting them.

Phil Kirkby, of Rhyl Coastguards, said: “It became apparent that a much larger operation was required due to a large number of anglers fishing from the shore who had become lost in the rapidly descending fog. The rescue operation lasted over eight hours and involved two coastguard teams and three lifeboats.”

Jim Paten, regional control centre manager at Holyhead Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the officers were praised for the successful rescue of all the anglers with no casualties.

Certificates were presented to the coastguards by Trefor Jones, Lord Lt of Denbighshire, and senior coastguard officers.

Meanwhile, Mr Kirkby and fellow Rhyl coastguard Andrea Davies were awarded commendations for their contribution to aid efforts following the floods in Gloucestershire in July last year.

They helped deliver drinking water to the many people cut off in the aftermath of the devastating floods.