A station officer at the Gorleston Coastguard Station has been awarded a clasp to add to his long service medal after completing 30 years of voluntary service.

Graham Joel was presented with the clasp by divisional officer Chris Enright at the station on Thursday, November 19.

The 67-year-old was originally awarded the Auxiliary Coastguard Long Service Medal in 2006 after reaching the 20-year landmark in his career.

Mr Joel joined the Auxiliary Coastguard service in 1985 and was stationed with the Lowestoft Coast Rescue Team until the end of 1991, when he was transferred to his home town team in Gorleston.

Not long after the move Mr Joel was appointed as the deputy auxiliary-in-charge, which later became known as the deputy station officer, before becoming the station officer in 2013.

Mr Joel said: 'It's always nice to be recognised for the work that you do and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the coastguard.

'I love the job, it is diverse and gives one a great satisfaction to think that we provide a worthwhile service to the public in general and to the local community in which we live and serve.

'As volunteers we provide a service that represents a great deal for the British tax payer, which we all are.

'We can often make a difference to those who find themselves in difficulty in the coastal and maritime environments, helping those delivers a huge satisfaction to us who volunteer.'

For more information concerning volunteering in the Coastguard visit YouGov.UK/Coastguard.