A Teddington RNLI crew member who has saved 10 lives in 13 years on the water is retiring from service.

Keith Horley joined the Thames lifeboats as a volunteer in 2002 after seeing an appeal for crew members in the Richmond and Twickenham Times and was honoured with a certificate for his service on Tuesday, April 28.

Mr Horley, who met his wife through the RNLI, said one of his many memorable rescues was when the crew were called to a girl in trouble outside the Swan pub in Twickenham in winter a few years ago.

He said: "She had entered the water, the stream was running really hard and it was freezing cold.

"We found her clinging to the poles on the side of the bank. Three of us grabbed her and we nearly threw her over the top of the boat she was so small and light.

"We stuck her in the boat and it was very obvious then she would have been in big trouble had we not been there.

"It is an amazing feeling then you know you have actually made a difference. You’re certainly on a high for the rest of the day."

Mr Horley said there were also memorable shouts that thankfully did not involve anyone in grave danger, including one to a half-submerged car at Richmond Bridge.

He said: "The shout was that there was someone stuck in the car and when we got there we saw a face at the window.

"Someone grabbed the anchor and smashed the window, but the ‘person’ inside turned out to be a dressmakers dummy."

Mr Horley, 41, said due to his family and work commitments, he is unable to dedicate as much time to the RNLI as he would like.

He said: "My life has changed an awful lot since I joined but I want to still be in touch with the guys and do what I can if they need me."

Teddington lifeboats is looking for new volunteers. Call Andy Butterfield on 07824 526 145 for more information.