An 87 year old woman from Accrington recently attended a party at Buckingham Palace Gardens in recognition of 60 years of service to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Maureen Hargreaves and her husband Peter, of Royds Avenue, had been awarded attendance to the special event to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI.

Prior to the event, Maureen received a 60 years’ long service medal to go with the badge and brooch she received when she hit 25 and 50 years’ service.

She has been a committee member of the RNLI Accrington branch, a minute secretary, and a general member for 63 years.

The event was Maureen’s second visit to a Royal Garden Party, as she attended six years ago with her husband Peter, who was a guest of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.

Mrs Hargreaves was approached by one of the Equerrys and asked to stay until 5.30pm, when she would be spoken to by the royal party as they were leaving the palace grounds, but due to a long day she had to return to her hotel.

The couple, who have been married for 65 years, celebrated their Blue Sapphire Anniversary last year.