A long serving Conwy RNLI volunteer has been rewarded with a royal invite to Buckingham Palace.

Crew member and current volunteer Mechanic/Helmsman, Patrick Byrnes (Paddy), was recently invited to a garden party at the palace in recognition of more than 25 years’ service.

Paddy – as he is known to the crew – and his wife Karen were invited to the Palace on June 1, in recognition of his milestone of voluntary work to the community of Conwy and the RNLI.

Paddy said: “I am very proud to have been invited and having been able to represent Conwy lifeboat and the RNLI. My 25 years would not have been possible alone. We have an excellent crew and management team at Conwy who helped me through the entire 25 years.

”I would like to mention all the family members that have arranged many a meal and events that have been interrupted by my pager going off (and the maroons in times gone by), when things often get put on hold.

“My wife Karen also deserves a special thanks, who has put up with it all for these years, she also deserves a medal. The commitment to the RNLI affects the whole family, but it's all worth it to be able to save lives at sea. I may have completed 25 years, however I have no intention of going anywhere just yet'.”

An RNLI spokesman for Conwy Lifeboat station said: “ He is a great asset to our station and a fantastic role model for new volunteers that join our team here at Conwy.”