A stalwart member of Halesowen's Royal National Lifeboat Institute branch has been rewarded for a quarter of a century's dedicated service as she prepares to move to sunny climbs abroad.

Val Morgan, pictured right, who has been a committee member for the RNLI since the 1980s, will be awarded her gold medal for 25-years service to lifeboats.

But the celebrations are tinged with sadness as Val is leaving the ground as she and her husband Allan are leaving their home in Tenterfields to head off for a new life in Cyprus.

Grandmother Val said: "I was surprised to get the award.

"It's sad to say goodbye after all these years, but it's time to move on."

Jean Hadley chairman of Halesowen RNLI said: "Val and her husband Allan have been staunch supporters of our committee for many years and we can look back and remember.

"Particularly the fun run we used to do year after year where both of them provided a lot of help to organise.

"We shall miss them very much. Twenty five years is a long time.

"I'm very happy to think Val has been rewarded with this medal - she most definately deserves it!"

The branch is on the lookout for volunteers to help fill the committee places left by Val and Allan.

Jean said: "We are on the lookout now for more support.

"We want to keep the lifeboats afloat in Halesowen but we are losing two volunteer committee members."

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Jean on 0121 550 1639. (Pic ref: 180739L)