LONG-SERVING lifeboatmen have been nominated for a prestigious Argus Community Stars Award shortly after receiving medals for their more than 20 years service.

Ritchie Southerton and Ross Bowman, both volunteer crew members and helmsmen at Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat station, have been put forward to share the Local Hero Of The Year Award, sponsored by North Star.

The pair received the RNLI’s Long Service Award in recognition of their 20+ years service to the charity which saves lives at sea at a celebration at the Guildhall London earlier this month.

Both Ritchie and Ross first joined the Littlehampton volunteer crew in 1996. Ritchie has also spent time with the Thames Lifeboats.

Their dedicated service, experience, expertise and support were said to be greatly valued by everyone at the lifeboat station.

Ritchie has worked as a police officer and test driver for Rolls Royce.

He is about to take his boating skills and knowledge to Antarctica to work for the British Antarctic Survey for six months as a boating officer.

When he returns to the UK he will continue responding to his pager and conducting training at Littlehampton lifeboat station.

When Ross is not responding to his pager he can be found working in the construction industry.

The pair join a small group of current and previous volunteer lifeboat crew from Littlehampton who have served more than 20 years.