A LIFEBOAT fan has been named the RNLI's Young Supporter of the Year for his ongoing charity work.

Euan Foster, aged eight, of The Hall Coppice, Egerton, won the national award after being nominated by Holyhead RNLI.

The Holyhead branch of the RNLI had already named the schoolboy its regional supporter of the year.

The awards recognised Euan's fundraising efforts, raising money through numerous cake sales and £300 for a charity swim.

Yesterday, the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Barbara Ronson, visited Euan at his school, Walmsley CE Primary, to congratulate him on his latest honour.

And Euan was invited on stage to speak to almost 200 of his fellow pupils about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and his charity work.

Euan said: "I'm really happy with my award and I'm looking forward to going to London with my mum to collect it in May.

"To help raise money I held cake sales, swam a mile, and then swam as many lengths as I could in one hour. I lost count at the end though."

All the praise and recognition has inspired Euan to continue the good work.

He said: "My next cake sale will be in June. After that, if I train three times a week at the swimming pool, I'm hoping to do a three-mile swim."

Debra Carr, headteacher at Walmsley CE Primary School, said: "We are exceptionally proud of Euan, he is a special young man."

Euan will visit The Barbican Centre in London in May to receive his official award with mum, Diane, and dad, Mark.

Mrs Foster said: "When we got the letter informing us about the award it was such a lovely surprise. Euan was just delighted.

"We're always visiting lifeboat stations during family holidays."

Ray Steadman, Holyhead RNLI spokesman, said: "We have been absolutely amazed by Euan's support and enthusiasm for the RNLI charity, which has been unwavering since we first met him in 2005.

"He first called into the station after visiting grandparents in Trearddur Bay, and since then he really has gone the extra mile to raise the vital funds.

"We were proud to name Euan our top supporter, but the fact he has gone on to win the national RNLI Supporter of the Year of the Award is outstanding."