TRIBUTES have been paid to former Hoylake Lifeboat Coxswain Geoff Ormrod who has passed away.

He joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, aged 16 and was a crew member at Hoylake for 56 years.

He died at the end of last month and his funeral takes place this Friday at St Hildeburgh's Church in Hoylake, starting at 11.30am.

It will be followed by a short service at Landican.

Geoff held many positions during his service, including signalman, first aider, second mechanic and later coxswain from 1998 to 2001.

Notably on September 20, 1979, he was part of a bronze medal service in storm force conditions to the yacht Truganini.

During his time as coxswain, he was also presented with a letter of appreciation from the RNLI's operations director for service on a very stormy Christmas morning in 1999.

He retired as Coxswain in 2001, but remained an active shore crew member.

He also became an RNLI divisional assessor trainer within the North Division, passing on his wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of volunteers.

Paying tribute to his former colleague, lifeboat operations manager Dave Whiteley, said: "Geoff was highly respected by all Station personnel at Hoylake.

"He always made time to ensure the crew fully understood any tasks to which they were assigned.

"As a training assessor, he later carried his great enthusiasm around the coast and was a real credit to the RNLI."