BARRY volunteer Liz Matthews has been honoured by the RNLI for her decades of voluntary work.

Ms Matthews has been involved with lifesaving at sea since her childhood years and has recalled her days polishing the boats before she was old enough to head out onto the water.

Recently, Ms Matthews has coordinated the educational visits from schools and youth groups.

The number of visits of this nature has seen a recent spike thanks to the opening of the RNLI Visitors Centre on Barry Island.

Local members of the RNLI gathered in the lifeboat station in Barry Dock to surprise her with an award for her work.

The event was her first time returning to the lifeboat station in several months after spending a considerable amount of time in hospital suffering from a life-threatening illness.

Members, including her daughter Abigail Phillips and grandchildren, welcomed her return to the lifeboat station, saying it had been “empty” without her there to coordinate the educational visits.

Vale AM Jane Hutt Vale MP Alun Cairns attendance the celebration.

Mrs Matthews said: "I don’t volunteer for the thanks, but for the great joy it brings me to know that just some of the young people I speak to each year might avoid getting in to trouble in the water after hearing the RNLI water safety messages. I look forward to continuing that work in the future and would welcome any new education volunteers who would like to have a rewarding experience with a great team who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with."

Mr Cairns said: “When I heard that Liz was unwell, I was gravely concerned. She is a caring, selfless and hardworking woman and I am delighted to see her home from hospital and back in the lifeboat station. If there is anyone who deserves to be honoured by the RNLI, it is Liz.”