A Harrington man who improved his career thanks to the experience gained with the Workington RNLI has received an award for his 20 years with the charity.

Mike Hughes, 47, was presented with the award last Saturday.

Mike, who has been married to Judith for 25 years and is father to Adam, 24, and Becky, 21, said: "I'm quite proud of myself for what I have done.

"Twenty years ago I met John Stobbart, the coxswain at the RNLI and while I was chatting to him I told him that I had done a bit of fishing and he asked me if I wanted to get involved. That's how it all started.

"I worked for myself at the time, I had a removal company, but now I'm a skipper on the wind farm boat.

"Volunteering with the RNLI has definitely helped me professionally, without that experience it would have taken me a lot longer to get there."

Mike said that he likes the sense of achievement of going out on a boat and knowing that he has done a good job and the banter with fellow crew members.

He added: "I love being with the RNLI, I have no intention of finishing.

"I would encourage anybody who thinks they are able to do the job to come and give it a go.

"For what you can gain experience-wise, there's a lot of potential there to better yourself in life. It helped me tremendously."

Women from the RNLI fund-raising group were also presented with awards by Sam Rainerat, High Sheriff of Cumbria, at the ceremony at Workington Cricket Club.

Workington RNLI crew received a letter of commendation for their work in assisting a trawler which had broken down 23 miles west of Workington in October last year.

Anyone interested in volunteering with RNLI should call Workington station on 01900 604124.

BLOB At sea with the RNLI - Page 18