THE RNLI has awarded a bronze and a silver badge to members of its Ledbury guild, for their fundraising work over the past six years.

More than £30,000 has been raised by the branch, with £6,000 collected last year alone.

Of that, around 50 per cent has come from street collections, with the rest raised through fundraising events, such as coffee mornings and cheese and wine gatherings.

A silver badge for long and devoted service goes to collections officer Pam Quick, of Wellington Heath, who has also served as chairman, vice-chairman and treasurer.

Mrs Quick, who has been a member of the branch committee for 30 years, said: "I've always been interested in supporting the RNLI and it doesn't really matter whether I get a medal or not."

She said she first decided to support the charity when she was living near the Aberdeenshire coast, before moving the Ledbury, and realised how much the local communities were involved in the fishing industry.

"People support the RNLI for all sorts of reasons," she said. "I've also sailed, as so for me it was a personal thing."

The bronze award goes to guild secretary Pam Stones, of Hillfield Drive.

Both will receive their medals at a special presentation ceremony still to be arranged

News of the awards was announced by Andrew Freemantle, chief executive of the RNLI, who praised the hard work of the charity's Ledbury guild.