A man who guided more than 500,000 people, including Prince Philip, across the treacherous sands of Morecambe Bay has died at the age of 88.

Cedric Robinson was the longest-serving Queen’s Guide to the Sands, a job created in 1548 during the dissolution of the monasteries.

The job was set up when the reigning monarch inherited an obligation to appoint guides for travellers over the sands in Lancashire.

Mr Robinson stepped down from the role in 2019 after 57 years, making him the longest-serving holder of the job, which paid a salary of £15 a year.

The Guide over Sands Trust said he passed away on Friday night, three months after his late wife Olive died.

In a tribute, they said: "Now Cedric, it is time to rest your sandy feet".

A spokesman for the Trust added: “At the grand age of 88 our beloved Cedric Robinson closed his eyes for the last time. Cedric is now at peace and is with his wife Olive who he missed so much.

“It was and always will be a honour to be your friend. Cedric had a huge following and we know that this news will make the community shed a tear upon reading this.

“Cedric joined us this year out on the sand even though he had retired he kept going all he could.

"Now Cedric it is time to rest your sandy feet and keep an eye on us from up there

“Your team of marshalls old and new thought the world of you Cedric.

“We love you Cedric and thank you for everything and behave yourself.”

Mr Robinson, born in Flookburgh in Cumbria, dedicated his life to running the famous cross-bay walks, which can involve up to 600 people at and take three hours.

The bay, where 23 Chinese cockle pickers died in 2004, is notorious for quicksand, fast-rising tides, swirling currents and deep tidal channels.

In 2013, said he had no plans to retire, but he reluctantly relinquished the role in 2019 and Michael Wilson, a local fisherman, took over his royal duties.

Lord Cavendish, in his role as chair of the Guide Over Sands Trust, visited Mr Robinson and suggested that it was time to retire as he was 86 years old.

He told him: "At the age you've got to, Mr Robinson – Cedric, we’d like to take the responsibility away from you and we would like you to choose a new guide”.

Earlier this year Mr Robinson joined Mr Wilson in guiding a group of naturists across the bay.

Mr Wilson fondly remembered: “When we asked if he was getting out of his tractor he simply replied, ‘no, I have the best view from up here!’”