TWO RNLI lifeboat volunteers have been honoured for almost half a century combined service at sea.

Andy Elton, who received his 20 year long-service medal, joined the Poole crew in 1989, aged 19, and has been helping save lives ever since.

During his service he worked as the full-time mechanic at Poole Lifeboat Station for five years, before taking up another full-time role as technician at the RNLI headquarters in 2003.

He became an official crewmember in 1990 and still works as volunteer coxswain today and is an integral member of the team.

“The sea is in my blood, always has been since I was a nipper,” said Andy.

He received his long service medal at a presentation dinner at the Lifeboat College.

Meanwhile, Paul Singleton, Poole’s 2nd Coxswain, received a special gift and acknowledgement at the dinner, following almost 30 years of the helm of the inshore lifeboat.

Paul, known as Flipper, has stepped down to concentrate on the all-weather lifeboat.

Volunteer coxswain Jonathan Clark said: “Paul and Andy are my lynch pins, the backbone oF our crew.

“I can remember when we all joined the crew – they both had a full head of hair then.”

Recalling a memorable shout with Andy on New Year’s Eve 1999, when the police asked for help as revellers were jumping off Bournemouth Pier, Jonathan said: “I remember coming into East Looe channel, just outside the chain ferry when a huge wave knocked the boat flat on its side.

“I ended up on the top of Andy. He was totally squashed against the side window and I still had the wheel in my hand.

“Andy made a good cushion and we had a good old laugh.

“That’s what this team is all about – mutual respect, trust and just always being there for each other.”