IT WAS almost a case of home from home when Blackpool lifeboat man Keith Horrocks visited Buckingham Palace last week.

He was invited to a special reception hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to pay tribute to the emergency services.

This visit came just six months after he was invited to the Palace to be awarded an MBE for long standing service to the RNLI.

Keith, from Belmont Avenue, was a volunteer crew member at the Blackpool station for 24 years.

He said: "It was a great honour to represent the RNLI and meet the Queen and Prince Philip.

"They were very nice and chatted to us about our work.

"Visiting the Palace twice in one year is quite unbelievable really but it is nice our service is recognised." Keith served on hundreds of missions with the Blackpool lifeboat and was awarded a medal for gallantry for a rescue in 1988.

He was the helmsman when they rescued a man from a fishing boat which had capsized in strong winds two miles off shore.

Since retiring as a crew member last year Keith works full time for the station as a mechanic and also co-ordinator at the new visitor centre.

Although Keith misses serving on the boat he believes his new role is just as important.

He said: "I loved my time as a crew member and I miss it.

"But my role now is just as vital in informing people about the value of our service and promoting the RNLI."

The visitor centre next to the boat station on The Promenade is open every day from 10am to 4pm until November 7 and weekends through the winter.

Any schools or other groups who would like a special guided tour of the centre should ring Keith on (01253) 620424 or (01253) 290816.

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