A RETIRED headteacher and his wife have each been presented with an award for their work for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Derek Walsh, a former head at Ribble Drive County Primary School, Whitefield, and his wife Helen, who used to teach at Higher Lane Junior School, Whitefield, became involved with their local branch of the RNLI in 1989.

After they took early retirement from their teaching positions, friends put their names forward for the Whitefield branch.

Derek now serves as treasurer and Helen is souvenir secretary. About their Silver Badge long-service awards, Helen said: "We were absolutely astounded when we heard about them. It came completely out of the blue.

"It was like receiving an honour from the Queen."

The couple received their award from RNLI director Andrew Freemantle at a ceremony at Haydock Park Racecourse to recognise the dedication and long service of some of the region's volunteers.

The Whitefield branch is one of 1,700 volunteer groups which undertake fund-raising events to help raise the £89 million a year required to keep lifeboats at sea. The RNLI's lifeboats are crewed entirely by volunteers and its funds are raised purely through voluntary donations and the work of volunteers like Mr and Mrs Walsh.

Derek and Helen, of Ringley Drive, Whitefield, have one son and have been National Trust stewards for 14 years. The couple worship at All Saints Church, Stand, and are members of the All Saints Music and Arts Society.

The Whitefield branch will be holding a 'Soup and Sweet Lunch' on Wednesday, October 18, at All Saints Church Hall in Church Lane, Whitefield, between noon and 2pm. Tea and coffee will be served and there will be cake and souvenir stalls.

Anyone interested in getting involved with RNLI should contact Bev Robinson on 0161 787 8779.