A DEDICATED charity worker has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Tom Ridyard was honoured with the award by Prince Charles at Buckingham palace last month.

The 73-year-old has volunteered for the Bolton District RNLI for more than 30 years and was anonymously nominated for the award.

Mr Ridyard, who is the chairman of Bolton District RNLI said the experience was "magical".

The father-of-two added: "It was a very proud and very surreal moment.

"It didn't sink in until I walked away from there with all the pomp and circumstance all the horses and guards with their swords out.

"Prince Charles asked me how long I had been doing it and he said 'well somebody noticed you' — he said he admired all the lifeboat crew and he said 'keep doing it as long as you can, keep up the good work' and then he shook my hand and it was time to leave.

"It was so surreal to talk to him face to face."

It costs more than £140 million each year to run the RNLI, which is funded by supporters such as Mr Ridyard and his team of volunteers who raise more than £20,000 a year in their district.

Mr Ridyard, of Belmont Road, said: "Me standing with the lifeboat in the pouring rain doesn’t matter to me it’s just water but they go out in all weather day or night and don’t get paid so I need to help them for the best equipment we can give them.

"The lifeboat crews say it is us that deserves the recognition but we say it is them.

"I love the charity, it is a passion that I have got- I have two passions one is this and one is my family.

"As long as I can stand up I will keep going for the lifeboat service, I know a lot of the crews and I know what they do and they do and amazing job."