THE 'driving force' behind Hoylake's annual lifeboat day has been recognised in The Queen's New Year Honours.

Carole Jackson, chair of Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI's fundraising branch has been recognised with the British Empire Medal.

Carole has volunteered as a fundraiser with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the wider community for 50 years.

She is described by RNLI colleagues as the driving force behind the Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat Open Day, which has become a popular annual fixture in the Wirral calendar, bringing together the local community and regularly drawing in crowds of thousands of people from across the country.

More than £1,500,000 has been raised for the RNLI since Carole joined the Wirral-based branch.

With her at the helm, the branch has delivered in excess of £430,000.

This year alone, Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat Open Day raised over £20,000 for the lifesaving charity.

On her honour, Carole said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive the BEM.

"It is a real testament to all of the hard work of the fundraising volunteers at Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI.

"Our Lifeboat Open Day and all of our other local fundraising activities are a big team effort and I would like to thank everyone for their dedication.

"From bucket collections to souvenir sales, we are proud that we are helping the RNLI to continue its vital work saving lives at sea."

Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Andy Dodd said: "We're absolutely delighted that Carole Jackson is to receive a BEM in the New Year Honours.

"Her commitment to both Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI lifeboats over the last 50 years has been remarkable.

"Her organising of fundraising events is second to none and we have her to thank for our annual Lifeboat Open Day, which brings thousands of people to Hoylake to learn about and support the RNLI's work each year.

"As a lifeboat crew, we are in awe of her unwavering dedication and we would like to congratulate her on this fantastic achievement."