TWO Lancashire Police family liaison officers have received national recognition for their work.

PC Mark Royal-Evatt and DC Phil Pilkington attended a special ceremony hosted by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House on Thursday.

Family liaison officers are specially trained police investigators who work closely with the family of victims of crimes where there has been a death.

This can involve murder investigations, roads traffic investigations to responding to major natural disasters such as the Boxing Day tsunami.

PC Royal-Evatt joined Lancashire Constabulary 18 years ago. He has worked as a Family Liaison Officer on Eastern Division's Road Policing Unit for ten years, during which time has helped over 20 bereaved families.

He has also helped many families whose loved ones have been seriously injured.

He said: "The role of family liaison officer is extremely rewarding and satisfying that gives me the ability to give something back to the public.

"Clearly, informing families about the death of a loved one is very difficult but it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know I can help them out.

"We can be a source of great comfort to people at their time or grief.

"It was fantastic to see the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall pay such as interest in the role we do.

"They were really appreciative of our work. It was a once in a lifetime experience which I thoroughly enjoyed."

DC Phil Pilkington joined Lancashire Constabulary 16 years ago.

He has been a family liaison officer for five years, working in Pennine Division's Road Policing Unit and more recently, Burnley CID.

Over the last three years, he has been involved in three high profile cases including the murder of Blackpool nurse Jane Clough, the murder of Alan Street in Padiham and the murder of Sophie Lancaster in Bacup, for which he received a commendation from Lancashire chief constable Steve Finnigan.

DC Phil Pilkington said: "It is fantastic to be recognised the role we do and it is particularly pleasing to receive appreciation from the families of victims.

"The role of the Family Liaison officer is to support and guide families through serious grieving and distress.

"It is very difficult and emotionally draining to see the sorrow and grieving suffered by families although very rewarding to offer support to families who know they can rely on us to do the right thing for them in times of hardship."