A HAMPSHIRE rescue group celebrating its 50th anniversary has been presented with the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Members of the Lepe-based Solent Rescue received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, in a cliff-top ceremony.

Solent Rescue has had a turbulent year, with its ability to provide a normal service hit by boat breakdowns and other issues, including varying levels of crew availability.

But press officer Wayne Monks said: "This award gives us the chance to celebrate the unit's 50th year and look forward to the next 50 years and more.

"It was an honour to host the Lord Lieutenant.

"The award is a testament to all the crew, past and present, for the hard work that's put into keeping the unit going and the family members who support them."

Daily Echo:

Originally a beach rescue unit, the organisation was formed following a rise in the number of incidents in and around Lepe Country Park, which overlooks the sea.

Over time it evolved into an additional lifeboat service available to the thousands of sailors who use the Western Solent each week in the summer.

It operates two inshore boats and works closely with other safety organisations that monitor one of the busiest leisure and commercial waterways in the UK.

Solent Rescue is based in a cliff-top lookout near Lepe's new cafe and visitor centre.

Members say they are usually at their headquarters or on the water training, which means they are often able to respond to incidents more quickly than crews who have to be paged.

Daily Echo:

Solent Rescue is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service this year.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee and aims to recognise the outstanding work done by volunteers across the country.

The organisation was nominated by South Waterside councillor Alexis McEvoy, who described the award as well deserved.

"There aren’t many nominations that succeed at the first attempt. This just shows how special Solent Rescue and all the volunteers are," said Cllr McEvoy.