VOLUNTEERS were recognised for their years of dedication during an awards night.

The annual Rhyl Lifeboat Crew Dinner was held at Rhyl’s 1891 restaurant.

Presented with accolades were Mark Budd, who received his 20 year service badge; Paul Frost, who was awarded the Benjamin Jones Memorial Award for his service of relief Coxswain for the past 12 months; Pat Jackson, wife of the late Peter Jackson, received a Certificate of Service for Peter’s role of deputy launching authority at Rhyl Lifeboat and Martin Jones received the long service award for 30 years service to the RNLI.

Mr Frost said: "I was taken aback when Martin our coxwain said I had won the award as it was totally unexpected. I am honoured the crew thought I was worthy.

"It was a relatively quiet year last year as far as rescues go, but we carried out some excellent services, including medical evacuations, towing in broken down vessels up to 15m long and also rescuing people who had gone into the water unintentionally.

"As our coxwain was on relief duties on Anglesey, the crew rallied round so that we always launched on service with a full complement of crew. As relief coxswain at the time, I'm am very grateful for their support when we were down on crew numbers."

Mr Jones, Rhyl Lifeboat coxwain, said: “On behalf of the crew and myself, I would like to thank everyone that has helped the station in the past 12 months.

"It has been an extremely busy time for Rhyl Lifeboat Station with our Shannon-class lifeboat appeal being launched as well as continuing our lifesaving service."

Peter Jackson died in May last year. The former captain, who once was in command of many ships across the world, joined the merchant navy as an officer cadet at 16 and continued working and volunteering in the maritime industry for 48 years.