The Queen's personal representative, The Viscount De L’Isle, MBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Kent has presented the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to members of the Folkestone station of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI).

Hawkinge resident and Parish Councillor, Tony Hutt, runs NCI Folkestone, which now has 54 volunteers keeping a watch on the sea and shores in and around Folkestone, to summon help in an emergency.

NCI Chairman Alan Richards said: "Congratulations to Tony Hutt and his team for earning this honour, which not only recognises the valuable contribution which they make, but also reflects well on NCI as a whole."

Folkestone Station Manager Tony Hutt is presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by Viscount De L'Isle, Lord Lieutenant of Kent

The group was nominated for the award by Shepway councillor, Susan Carey, when she was chairman of the District Council and supported by Robert Bliss, Leader of the Council.

The Lord Lieutenant of Kent presented NCI Folkestone with an inscribed commemorative crystal and certificate at a ceremony at the Pavilion in the town last week.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©